CHESTER   RAND 


HORATIO  ALGER   JR. 


BERKEUY 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 


CHESTER  RAND 

OR 

THE     NEW    PATH    TO     FORTUNE 


BY 

HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 

AUTHOR   OF     "ANDY  GRANT'S  PLUCK,"     "SINK  OR  SWIM,' 


"ADRIFT  IN  NEW  YORK.' 


NEW  YORK 
HURST    &    COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


UOAN  STACK 


CHESTER   RAND. 


CHAPTER  L 

SILAS  TRIPP. 

PROBABLY  the  best  known  citizen  of  Wyn- 
combe,  a  small  town  nestling  among  the 
Pennsylvania  mountains,  was  Silas  Tripp.  He 
kept  the  village  store,  occasionally  entertained 
travelers,  having  three  spare  rooms,  was  town 
treasurer,  and  conspicuous  in  other  local 
offices. 

The  store  was  in  the  center  of  the  village, 
nearly  opposite  the  principal  church — there 
were  two — and  here  it  was  that  the  towns 
people  gathered  to  hear  and  discuss  the  news. 

Silas  Tripp  had  one  assistant,  a  stout, 
pleasant-looking  boy  of  fifteen,  who  looked 
attractive,  despite  his  well-worn  suit.  Chester 
Rand  was  the  son  of  a  widow,  who  lived  in  a 
tiny  cottage  about  fifty  rods  west  of  the  Pres- 
Dyterian  church,  of  which,  by  the  way,  Silas 
Tripp  was  senior  deacon,  for  he  was  a  leader  in 
religious  as  well  as  secular  affairs. 

Chester's  father  had  died  o£  pneumonia 
four  years  before  the  story  commences, 


4  Chester  Rand. 

leaving  his  widow  the  cottage  and  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  This  sum  little  by 
little  had  melted,  and  a  month  previous  the 
last  dollar  had  been  spent  for  the  winter's 
supply  of  coal. 

Mrs.  Kand  had  earned  a  small  income  by 
plain  sewing  and  binding  shoes  for  a  shoe  shop 
in  the  village,  but  to  her  dismay  the  announce 
ment  had  just  been  made  that  the  shop  would 
close  through  the  winter  on  account  of  the  in 
creased  price  of  leather  and  overproduction 
during  the  year. 

"  What  shall  we  do,  Chester  ? "  she  asked,  in 
9,larm,  when  the  news  came.  "  We  can't  live 
on  your  salary,  and  I  get  very  little  sewing 
to  do." 

"  No,  mother,"  said  Chester,  his  own  face  re 
flecting  her  anxiety;  "we  can't  live  on  three 
dollars  a  week." 

"I  have  been  earning  two  dollars  by  binding 
shoes,''  said  Mrs.  Kand.  "It  has  been  hard 
enough  to  live  on  five  dollars  a  week,  but  I 
don't  know  how  we  can  manage  on  three." 

"I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do,  mother.  I'll  ask 
Mr.  Tripp  to  raise  my  pay  to  four  dollars  a 
week." 

"  But  will  he  do  it  ?  He  is  a  very  close  man, 
and  always  pleading  poverty." 

"But  I  happen  to  know  that  he  has  ten 
thousand  dollars  invested  in  Pennsylvania 


Chester  Rand.  5 

Railroad  stock.     I  overheard  him  saying  so  to 
Mr.  Gardner." 

"  Ten    thousand  dollars!     It   seems  a   for 
tune  !  "  sighed  Mrs.   Band.     "  Why  do  some 
people  have  so  much  and  others  so  little  ? " 

"It  beats  me,  mother.  But  I  cl:n't  think 
either  of  us  would  exchange  places  with  Silas 
Tripp  with  all  his  money.  By  the  way,  mother, 
Mr.  Tripp  is  a  widower.  Why  don't  you  set 
your  cap  for  him  ? " 

Mrs.  Band  smiled,  as  her  imagination  con 
jured  up  the  weazened  and  wrinkled  face  of 
the  village  storekeeper,  with  his  gray  hair 
standing  up  straight  on  his  head  like  a  natural 
pompadour. 

"If  you  want  Mr.  Tripp  for  a  stepfather," 
she  said,  "  I  will  see  what  I  can  do  to  ingrati 
ate  myself  with  him." 

"No,  a  thousand  times  no ! "  replied  Chester, 
with  a  shudder.  "  I'd  rather  live  on  one  meal 
a  day  than  have  you  marry  him." 

"  I  agree  with  you,  Chester.  We  will  live 
for  each  other,  and  hope  for  something  to  turn 
up." 

'  *  I  hope  the  first  thing  to  turn  up  will  be  an 
increase  of  salary.  To-morrow  is  New  Year's 
Day,  and  it  will  be  a  good  time  to  ask." 

Accordingly,  that  evening,  just  as  the  store 
was  about  to  close,  Chester  gathered  up  cour 
age  and  said  :  "  Mr.  Tripp." 


6  Chester  Kand. 

"  Well,  that's  my  name,"  said  Silas,  looking 
over  his  iron-bowed  spectacles. 

"  To-morrow  is  New  Year's  Day^' 

"  What  if  'tis?  I  reckon  I  knew  that  with 
out  your  tellin'  me." 

"  I  came  here  last  New  Year's  Day.  I've 
been  here  a  year." 

4 'What  if  you  have?" 

"  And  I  thought  perhaps  you  might  be  will 
ing  to  raise  my  salary  to  four  dollars  a  week," 
continued  Chester,  hurriedly. 

"  Oho,  that's  what  you're  after,  is  it  ? "  said 
Silas,  grimly.  "You  think  I'm  made  of 
money,  I  reckon.  Now,  don't  you  ? " 

"  No,  I  don't  ;  but,  Mr.  Tripp,  mother  and  1 
find  it  very  hard  to  get  along,  really  we  do. 
She  won't  have  any  more  shoes  to  bind  for 
three  months  to  come,  on  account  of  the  shoe 
shop's  closing. " 

"It's  going  to  hurt  me,  too;"  said  Silas,  with 
a  frown.  ' '  When  one  business  suspends  it 
affects  all  the  rest.  I'll  have  mighty  hard 
work  to  make  both  ends  meet." 

This  struck  Chester  as  ludicrous,  but  he  did 
not  feel  inclined  to  laugh.  Here  was  Silas 
Tripp  gathering  in  trade  from  the  entire  vil 
lage  and  getting  not  a  little  in  addition  from 
outlying  towns,  complaining  that  he  would 
find  it  hard  to  make  both  ends  meet,  though 
everyone  said  that  he  did  not  spend  one-third 


Chester  Rand  f 

of  his  income.  On  the  whole,  things  did  not 
look  very  encouraging. 

"  Perhaps,"  he  said,  nervously,  "  you  would 
raise  me  to  three  dollars  and  a  half  ?  " 

4 1  What  is  the  boy  thinkin'  of?  You  must 
think  I'm  made  of  money.  Why,  three  dollars 
is  han'some  pay  for  what  little  you  do." 

"  Why,  I  work  fourteen  hours  a  day,"  re 
torted  Chester. 

"I'm  afraid  you're  gettin'  lazy.  Boys 
shouldn't  complain  of  their  work.  The  fact  is, 
Chester,  I  feel  as  if  I  was  payin'  you  too 
much  " 

"Too  much!  Three  dollars  a  week  too 
much  ! " 

"  Too  much,  consider-in'  the  state  of  busi 
ness,  and  yourself  bein'  a  boy.  I've  been 
meanin'  to  tell  you  that  I've  got  a  chance 
to  get  a  cheaper  boy." 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  asked  Chester,  in  dismay. 

"  It's  Abel  Wood.  Abel  Wood  is  every  mite 
as  big  and  strong  as  you  are,  and  he  come 
round  last  evenin'  and  said  he'd  work  for  twc 
dollars  and  a  quarter  a  week/' 

"I  couldn't  work  for  that,"  said  Chester, 

'  I  don't  mind  bein'  generous,  considerin' 
you've  been  working  for  me  more  than  a  year. 
I'll  give  you  two  dollars  and  a  half.  That's 
twenty-five  cents  more'n  the  Wood  boy  is 
'rillin'  to  take," 


8  Chester  Rand. 

"  Abel  Wood  doesn't  know  anything  about 
store  work." 

"  I'll  soon  learn  him.  Sitooated  as  I  am,  1 
feel  that  I  must  look  after  every  penny,"  and 
Mr.  Tripp's  face  looked  meaner  and  more 
weazened  than  ever  as  he  fixed  his  small,  bead- 
like  eyes  on  his  boy  clerk. 

"Then  I  guess  I'll  have  to  leave  you,  Mr. 
Tripp,"  said  Chester,  with  a  deep  feeling  of 
disgust  and  dismay. 

"Do  just  as  you  like,"  said  his  employer. 
"  You're  onreasonable  to  expect  to  get  high 
pay  when  business  is  dull." 

"High  pay!"  repeated  Chester,  bitterly. 
"  Three  dollars  a  week  ! " 

"  It's  what  I  call  high  pay.  When  I  was  a 
boy,  I  only  earned  two  dollars  a  week." 

"  Money  would  go  further  when  you  were  a 
boy." 

"Yes,  it  did.  Boys  wasn't  so  extravagant 
in  them  days.'' 

"I  don't  believe  you  were  ever  extrava 
gant,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  Chester,  with  a  tinge 
of  sarcasm  which  his  employer  didn't  detect. 

"  No,  I  wasn't.  I  don't  want  to  brag,  but  1 
never  spent  a  cent  foolishly.  Do  you  know 
how  much  money  I  spent  the  first  three  months 
I  was  at  work  ? " 

"A  dollar  ?"  guessed  Chester. 

"  A  dollar  1 "  repeated  Mr.  Tripp,  in  a  tone 


Chester  Rand,  9 

of  disapproval.     "  No,  I  only  spent  thirty- seven 
cents." 

"  Then  I  don't  wonder  you  got  rich,"  said 
Chester,  with  a  curl  of  the  lip. 

"I  ain't  rich,"  said  Silas  Tripp,  cautiously. 
"Who  told  you  I  was?" 

"  Everybody  says  so." 

"  Then  everybody  is  wrong.  Fin  a  leetle 
'forehanded,  that's  all." 

"  I've  heard  people  say  you  could  afford  to 
give  up  work  and  live  on  the  interest  of  your 
money." 

Silas  Tripp  held  up  his  hands  as  if  astounded. 

"' Tain't  so,"  he  said,  sharply.  "If  I  gave 
up  business,  I'd  soon  be  in  the  poorhouse.  Well, 
what  do  you  say  ?  Will  you  stay  along  and 
work  for  two  dollars  and  a  half  a  week  ?  " 

44 1  couldn't  do  it,"  said  Chester,  troubled. 

"  All  right !  It's  jest  as  you  say.  Your 
week  ends  to-morrow  night.  If  you  see  Abel 
Wood,  you  can  tell  him  I  want  to  see  him." 

"I  will,"  answered  Chester,  bitterly. 

As  he  walked  home  he  felt  very  despondent. 
Wouldn't  it  have  been  better,  he  asked  himself, 
to  accept  reduced  wages  than  to  give  up  his 
job  ?  It  would  have  been  hard  enough  to  ak 
tempt  living  on  two  dollars  and  a  half  a  week, 
but  that  was  better  than  no  income  at  all. 
And  yet,  it  looked  so  mean  in  Silas  Tripp  to 
present  such  an  alternative,  when  he  was 


io  Chester  RancL 

abundantly  able  to  give  him  the  increase  he 
askad  for. 

"  I  must  tell  mother  and  see  what  she  thinks 
about  it,"  he  said  to  himself. 

CHAPTER  II. 

OUT  OP  WORK. 

Chester  had  a  talk  with  his  mother  that  eve 
ning.  She  felt  indignant  at  Silas  Tripp's  mean 
ness,  but  advised  Chester  to  remain  in  the  store 
for  the  present. 

"  I'd  rather  work  anywhere  else  for  two  dol 
lars,"  said  Chester,  bitterly. 

It  would  be  humiliating  enough  to  accept 
the  reduction,  but  he  felt  that  duty  to  his 
mother  required  the  sacrifice.  He  started  on 
his  way  to  the  store  in  the  morning,  prepared 
to  notify  Mr.  Tripp  that  he  would  remain,  but 
he  found  that  it  was  too  late.  Just  before  he 
reached  the  store,  he  met  Abel  Wood,  a  loose- 
jointed,  towheaded  boy,  with  a  stout  body  and 
extraordinarily  long  legs,  who  greeted  him 
with  a  grin. 

"I'm  goin' to  work  in  your  place  Monday 
E^ornin',"  he  said. 

"  Has  Mr.  Tripp  spoken  to  you? "  asked  Ches 
ter,  his  heart  sinking. 

"  Yes,  he  said  you  was  goin'  to  leave.  What's 
up?" 


Chester  Rand.  i» 

"  Mr.  Tripp  cut  down  my  wages,"  said  Ches 
ter.  "  I  wouldn't  work  for  two  dollars  and  a  hal  f . " 
"He's  only    goin'   to    give  me    two  and    a 
quarter," 

'  'You  can  afford  to  work   for  that.     Your 
father's  got  steady  work." 

"Yes,  but  all  the  same  I'll  ask  for  more  in  a 
few  weeks.  Where  are  you  goin'  to  work?  " 

"  I  don't  know  yet,"  answered  Chester,  sadly. 

"It's  awful  hard  to  get  a  place  in  Wyn- 
combe. " 

"  I  suppose  it  is.  I  hope  something  will 
turn  up." 

He  tried  to  speak  hopefully,  but  there  was 
very  little  hope  in  his  heart. 

He  went  about  his  work  in  a  mechanical  way, 
but  neglected  nothing.  When  the  time  came 
for  the  store  to  cloc?v  Silas  Tripp  took  three 
dollars  from  the  drawer  and  handed  it  to  him, 
saying:  "There's  your  wages,  Chester.  I  ex 
pect  it's  the  last  I'll  pay  you." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  suppose  so." 

"I  don't  know  how  Til  like  the  Wood  boy. 
He  hain't  110  experience." 

"  He'll  get  it,  sir." 

"If  you  want  to  stay  for  two  and  a  quarter — 
the  same  I'm  going  to  give  him  — I'll  tell  him 
I've  changed  my  mind." 

"No,  sir;  it  wouldn't  be  right  to  put  him  off 
now.  I  guess  I'll  get  something  else  to  do. " 


12  Chester  Rand. 

He  turned  and  left  the  store,  walking  with 
a  slower  step  than  usual.  His  heart  was 
heavy,  for  he  felt  that,  poorly  as  they  lived 
hitherto,  they  must  live  more  poorly  still  in 
the  days  to  come.  He  reached  home  at  last, 
and  put  the  three  dollars  in  his  mother's  hands. 

" 1  don't  know  when  I  shall  have  any  more 
money  to  give  you,  mother,"  he  said. 

"  It  looks  dark,  Chester,  but  the  Lord  reigns. 
He  will  still  be  our  friend." 

There  was  something  in  these  simple  words 
that  cheered  Chester,  and  a  weight  seemed 
lifted  from  his  heart.  He  felt  that  they  were 
not  quite  friendless,  and  that  there  was  still 
One,  kmder  and  more  powerful  than  any 
earthly  friend,  to  whom  they  could  look  for 
help. 

When  Monday  morning  came  he  rose  at  the 
usual  hour  and  breakfasted. 

"I'll  go  out  and  take  a  walk,  mother,"  he 
said.  * '  Perhaps  I  may  find  some  work  some 
where.  " 

Almost  unconsciously,  he  took  the  familiar 
way  to  the  store,  and  paused  at  a  little  distance 
from  it.  He  saw  Abel  come  out  with  some 
packages  to  carry  to  a  customer.  It  pained 
him  to  see  another  boy  in  his  place,  and  he 
turned  away  with  a  sigh. 

During  the  night  four  or  five  inches  of  snow 
had  fallen.  This  gave  him  an  idea.  As  he 


Chester  Rand.  13 

came  to  the  house  of  the  Misses  Cleveland^  two 
maiden  sisters  who  lived  in  a  smaU  cottage  set 
back  fifty  feet  from  the  road,  ne  opened  the 
gate  and  went  up  to  the  front  door. 

Miss  Jane  Cleveland  opened  it  for  him. 

"  Good-morning,  Chester,"  she  said. 

Good-morning,  Miss  Cleveland.  I  thought 
you  might  want  to  get  a  path  shoveled  to  the 
gate/' 

"  So  I  would  ;  Hannah  tried  to  do  it  last 
time  it  snowed,  but  she  caught  an  awful  cold. 
But  ain't  you  working  up  at  the  store  ? " 

"  Not  now.  Mr.  Tripp  cut  down  my  wages, 
and  I  left," 

"  Do  tell.     Have  you  got  another  place  ?" 

"  Not  just  yet.  I  thought  I'd  do  any  little 
jobs  that  came  along  till  I  got  one." 

'*  That's  right.  What'll  you  charge  to  shovel 
a  path  ? 

Chester  hesitated. 

"  Fifteen  cents,"  he  answered,  at  last. 

"  I'll  give  you  ten.     Money's  skerce." 

Chester  reflected  that  he  could  probably  do 
the  job  in  half  an  hour,  and  he  accepted.  It 
cheered  him  to  think  he  was  earning  something, 
however  small. 

He  worked  with  a  will,  and  in  twenty-five 
minutes  the  work  was  done. 

"  You're  spry,"  said  Jane  Cleveland,  when 
he  brought  the  shovel  to  the  door.  "  It  took 


*4  Chester  Rand, 

Hannah  twice  as  long,  and  she  didn't  do  it  as 
well." 

"  It  isn't  the  kind  of  work  for  ladies,"  replied 
OLester. 

'*  Wait  till  I  fetch  the  money." 

Miss  Cleveland  went  into  the  house,  and  re 
turned  with  a  nickel  and  four  pennies. 

"  I'm  reely  ashamed,"  she  said.  "  I'll  have 
to  owe  you  a  cent.  But  here's  a  mince  pie  I've 
just  baked.  Take  it  home  to  your  ma.  May 
be  it'll  come  handy.  I'll  try  to  think  of  the 
other  cent  next  time  you  come  along. 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself  about  it,  Miss  Cleve 
land.  The  pie  is  worth  a  good  deal  more  than 
the  cent.  Mother'll  be  very  much  obliged  to 
you." 

"  She's  very  welcome,  I'm  sure,"  said  the 
kindly  spinster.  "I  hope  you'll  get  work 
soon,  Chester." 

"  Thank  you." 

Chester  made  his  way  homeward,  as  he  did 
not  care  to  carry  the  pie  about  with  him.  His 
mother  looked  at  him  in  surprise  as  he  entered 
the  house. 

"  What  have  you  there,  Chester?"  she  asked. 

"  A  pie  from  Miss  Cleveland." 

"  But  how  came  she  to  give  you  a  pie  ?  " 

"  I  shoveled  a  path  for  her,  and  she  gave  me 
a  pie  and  ten  cents— no,  nine.  So  you  see, 
mother,  I've  earned  something  this  week." 


Chester  Rand,  15 

"  I  take  it  as  a  good  omen.  A  willing  hand 
will  generally  find  work  to  do." 

"  How  are  you  off  for  wood,  mother  ?" 

"  There  is  some  left,  Chester." 

"  I'll  go  out  in  the  yard  and  work  at  the 
wood  pile  till  dinner  time.  Then  this  after 
noon  I  will  go  out  again  and  see  if  I  can  find 
some  more  paths  to  shovel." 

But  Chester  was  not  destined  to  earn  any 
more  money  that  day.  As  a  general  thing, 
the  village  people  shoveled  their  own  paths, 
and  would  regard  hiring  such  work  done  as 
sinful  extravagance.  Chester  did,'  however, 
find  some  work  to  do.  About  half-past  three 
he  met  Abel  Wood  tugging  a  large  basket, 
filled  with  groceries,  to  the  minister's  house. 
He  had  set  it  down,  and  was  resting  his  tired 
arms  when  Chester  came  along. 

"Give  me  a  lift  with  this  basket,  Chester, 
that's  a  good  fellow,"  said  Abei. 

Chester  lifted  it. 

"Yes,  it  is  heavy,"  he  said. 

"  The  minister's  got  some  company,"  went 
on  Abel,  "  and  he's  given  an  extra  large 
order." 

' '  How  do  you  like  working  in  the  store, 
Abel  ? " 

"  It's  hard  work,  harder  than  I  thought." 

"  But  remember  what  a  magnificent  salary 
you  will  get,"  said  Chester,  with  a  smile. 


16  Chester  Rand. 

*'It  ain't  half  enough.  Say,  Chester,  old 
Tripp  is  rich,  ain't  he  ?  " 

"I  should  call  myself  rich  if  I  had  his 
money." 

"  He's  a  miserly  old  hanks,  then,  to  give  me 
such  small  pay." 

"  Don't  let  him  hear  you  say  so." 

"I'll  take  care  of  that.  Come,  you'll  help 
me,  won't  you  ?" 

4<  Yes,"  answered  Chester,  good-naturedly  ; 
"  I  might  as  well,  as  I  have  nothing  else  to  do." 

Between  the  two  the  basket  was  easily 
carried.  In  a  short  time  they  had  reached  the 
minister's  house.  They  took  the  basket  around 
to  the  side  door,  just  as  Mr.  Morris,  the 
minister,  came  out,  accompanied  by  a  young 
man,  who  was  evidently  a  stranger  in  the 
village,  as  Chester  did  not  remember  having 
seen  him  before. 

" Chester,"  said  the  minister,  kindly,  "how 
does  it  happen  that  you  have  an  assistant  to 
day  ?  " 

"  I  am  the  assistant,  Mr.  Morris.  Abel  is 
Mr.  Tripp'snew  boy." 

"  Indeed,  I  am  surprised  to  hear  that.  When 
did  you  leave  the  store  ? " 

"Last  Saturday  night." 

"  Have  you  another  place  ? " 

"Not  yet." 

"Are  you  at  leisure  this  afternoon?" 


Chester  Rand.  ij 

"  Yes,  sir." 

6<  Then  perhaps  you  will  walk  around  with 
my  friend,  Mr.  Conrad,  and  show  him  the  vil 
lage.  I  was  going  with  him,  but  I  have  some 
writing  to  do,  and  you  will  do  just  as  well." 

11 1  shall  be  very  happy  to  go  with  Mr.  Coi>- 
rad,"  said  Chester,  politely. 

4 'And  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  have  you,"  said 
the  young  man,  with  a  pleasant  smile. 

"Come  back  to  supper, ,  Chester,"  said  the 
minister;  "that  is,  if  your  mother  can  spare 
you." 

"Thank  you,  sir.  I  suppose  you  will  be 
able  to  carry  back  the  empty  basket,  Abel," 
added  Chester,  as  his  successor  emerged  from 
the  side  door,  relieved  of  his  burden. 

"  I  guess  so,"  answered  Abel,  with  a  grin. 

"  I  was  never  in  Wyncombe  before,"  began 
Mr.  Conrad,  "though  I  am  a  second  cousin  of 
your  minister,  Mr.  Morris.  I  have  to  go  away 
to-morrow  morning,  and  wish  to  see  a  little  of 
the  town  while  I  am  here." 

"  Where  do  you  live,  Mr.  Conrad  ? " 

"  In  the  city  of  New  York." 

"  Are  you  a  minister,  too  ?  " 

"Oh,  no!"  laughed  the  young  man.  "I 
am  in  a  very  different  business.  I  am  an  artist 
— in  a  small  way.  I  make  sketches  for  books 
and  magazines." 

"  And  does  that  pay  ? " 


i8  Chester  Rand. 

"  Fairly  well.     I  earn  a  comfortable  living.*' 

"I  didn't  know  one  could  get  money  for 
making  pictures.  I  like  to  draw,  myself." 

"  I  will  see  what  you  can  do  this  evening ; 
that  is,  if  you  accept  my  cousin's  invitation." 

Before  the  walk  was  over  Chester  had  become 
much  interested  in  his  new  friend.  He  listened 
eagerly  to  his  stories  of  the  great  city,  and  felt 
that  life  must  be  much  better  worth  living 
there  than  in  Wyncombe. 

CHAPTER  III. 

A  NOTEWORTHY  EVENING. 

CHESTER  enjoyed  his  supper.  Mr.  Morris, 
though  a  minister,  had  none  of  the  starched 
dignity  that  many  of  his  profession  think  it 
necessary  to  assume.  He  was  kindly  and 
genial,  with  a  pleasant  humor  that  made  him 
agreeable  company  for  the  young  as  well  as 
the  old.  Mr.  Conrad  spoke  much  of  New 
York  and  his  experiences  there,  and  Chester 
listened  to  him  eagerly. 

"You  have  never  been  to  New  York,  Ches 
ter  ? "  said  the  young  artist. 

"No,  sir,  but  I  have  read  about  it — and 
dreamed  about  it.  Sometime  I  hope  to  go 
there." 

"  I  think  that  is  the  dream  of  every  country 
boy.  Well,  it  is  the  country  boys  that  make 
the  most  successful  men." 


Chester  Rand.  IQ 

"How  do  you  account  for  that,  Herbert?" 
asked  the  minister. 

4 '  Generally  they  have  been  brought  up  to 
work,  and  work  more  earnestly  than  the  city 
boys." 

When  the  supper  table  was  cleared,  Mr.  Con 
rad  took  from  his  valise  two  or  three  of  the 
latest  issues  of  Puck,  Judge  and  Life.  He 
handed  them  to  Chester,  who  looked  over  them 
eagerly. 

"Do  you  ever  contribute  to  these  papers, 
Mr.  Conrad  ?  "  he  asked. 

f  *  Yes  ;  here  is  a  sketch  in  Judge,  and  another 
in  Life,  which  I  furnished." 

"  And  do  you  get  good  pay  for  them  ?  " 

"  I  received  ten  dollars  for  each." 

Chester's  eyes  opened  with  surprise. 

"Why,"  he  said,  "they  are  small.  It 
couldn't  have  taken  you  long  to  draw  them." 

"  Probably  half  an  hour  for  each  one," 

"  And  you  received  ten  dollars  each  g " 

"  Yes,  but  don't  gauge  such  work  by  the 
time  it  takes.  It  is  the  idea  that  is  of  value. 
The  execution  is  a  minor  matter." 

Chester  looked  thoughtful. 

"  I  should  like  to  be  an  artist,"  he  said,  after 
a  pause. 

"  Won't  you  give  me  a  specimen  of  your 
work  ?  You  have  seen  mine. " 

"I  have  not  done  any  comic  work,  but  I 
think  I  could  w 


20  Chester  Rand. 

"  Here  is  a  piece  of  drawing  paper.  Ko  w> 
let  me  see  what  you  can  do." 

Chester  leaned  his  head  on  his  hand  and 
began  to  think.  He  was  in  search  of  an 
idea.  The  young  artist  watched  him  with 
interest.  At  last  his  face  brightened  up.  He 
seized  the  pencil,  and  began  to  draw  rapidly. 
In  twenty  minutes  he  handed  the  paper  to 
Mr.  Conrad. 

The  latter  looked  at  it  in  amazement. 

"  Why,  )TOU  are  an  artist,"  he  said.  "  I  had 
no  idea  you  were  capable  of  such  work." 

"I  am  glad  you  like  it,"  said  Chester,  much 
pleased. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  drawing  ? " 

"  Ever  since  I  can  remember.  I  used  to 
make  pictures  in  school  on  my  slate.  Some  of 
them  got  me  into  trouble  with  the  teacher." 

"lean  imagine  it,  if  you  caricatured  him. 
Did  you  ever  take  lessons  ? " 

"  No;  there  was  no  one  in  Wyncombe  to  teach 
me.  But  I  got  hold  of  a  drawing  book  once, 
and  that  helped  me." 

' '  Do  you  know  what  I  am  going  to  do  with 
this  sketch  of  yours  ? " 

Chester  looked  an  inquiry. 

"  I  will  take  it  to  New  York  with  me,  and  see 
if  lean  dispose  of  it." 

"  I  am  afraid  it  won't  be  of  much  use,  Mr. 
Conrad.  I  am  only  a  boy." 


Chester  Rand.  21 

**  If  a  sketch  is  good,  it  doesn't  matter  how 
old  or  young  an  artist  is." 

"  I  should  like  very  much  to  get  something 
for  it.  Even  fifty  cents  would  be  acceptable." 

4 'You  hold  your  talent  cheap,  Chester,"  said 
Mr.  Conrad,  with  a  smile.  "I  shall  certainly 
ask  more  than  that  for  it,  as  I  don't  approve  of 
cheapening  artistic  labor." 

The  rest  of  the  evening  passed  pleasantly. 

When  Chester  rose  to  go,  Mr.  Conrad 
said  : 

"  Take  these  papers,  Chester.  You  can 
study  them  at  your  leisure,  and  if  any  happy 
thoughts  or  brilliant  ideas  come  to  you,  dash 
them  off  and  send  them  to  me.  I  might  do 
something  with  them." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.     What  is  your  address  ?  " 

"Number  one  ninety-nine  West  Thirty- 
fourth  Street.  Well,  good-by.  I  am  glad  to 
have  met  you.  Sometime  you  may  be  an 
artist." 

Chester  flushed  with  pride,  and  a  new  hope 
rose  in  his  breast.  He  had  always  enjoyed 
drawing,  but  no  one  had  ever  encouraged  him 
in  it.  Even  his  mother  thought  of  it  only  as  a 
pleasant  diversion  for  him.  As  to  its  bringing 
him  in  money,  the  idea  had  never  occurred  to 
him. 

It  seemed  wonderful,  indeed,  that  a  little 
sketch,  the  work  of  half  an  hour,  should  bring 


22  Chester  Rand. 

ten  dollars.  Why  compare  with  this  the  hours 
of  toil  in  a  grocery  store — seventy,  at  least— 
which  had  heen  necessary  to  earn  the  small 
sum  of  three  dollars.  For  the  first  time  Chester 
began  to  understand  the  difference  between 
manual  and  intelligent  labor. 

It  was  ten  o'clock  when  Chester  left  the 
minister's  house— a  late  hour  in  Wyncorube— 
and  he  had  nearly  rsached  his  own  modest 
home  before  he  met  anyone.  Then  he  over 
took  a  man  of  perhaps  thirty,  thinly  clad  and 
shivering  in  the  bitter,  wintry  wind.  He  was 
a  stranger,  evidently,  for  Chester  knew  every 
one  in  the  village,  and  he  was  tempted  to  look 
back.  The  young  man,  encouraged  perhaps  by 
this  evidence  of  interest,  spoke,  hurriedly  : 

"  Do  you  know,"  he  asked,  "  where  I  can  get 
a  bed  for  the  night  ? " 

"  Mr.  Tripp  has  a  few  rooms  that  he  lets  to 
strangers,  He  is  the  storekeeper." 

The  young  man  laughed,  but  there  was  no 
merriment  in  the  laugh. 

"  Oh,  yes.     I  know  Silas  Tripp,"  he  said. 

"  Then  you  have  been  in  Wyncombe  before  ?  " 

"  I  never  lived  here,  but  I  know  Silas  Tripp 
better  than  I  want  to.  He  is  my  uncle." 

"Your  uncle!"  exclaimed  Chester,  in  sur 
prise. 

"Yes,  I  am  his  sister's  son.  My  name  is 
Walter  Bruce," 


Chester  Rand.  23 

"Then  I  should  think  your  uncle's  house 
was  the  place  for  you." 

* 4 1  have  no  money  to  pay  for  a  bed. " 

"  But,  if  you  are  a  relation " 

"'That  makes  no  difference  to  Silas  Tripp. 
He  has  no  love  for  poor  relations.  You  don't 
know  him  very  well." 

"  I  ought  to,  for  I  have  worked  for  him  in 
the  store  for  a  year." 

"  I  didn't  see  you  in  there  this  evening." 

"  I  left  him  last  Saturday  evening.  There 
is  another  boy  there  now." 

"  Why  did  you  leave  him  ?  " 

"Because  he  wanted  to  cut  down  my  wages 
from  three  dollars  to  two  dollars  and  a  quar 
ter." 

"Just  like  uncle  Silas.  I  see  you  know 
him." 

"  Have  you  seen  him  since  you  came  to 
Wyncombe  ? " 

"  I  was  in  the  store  this  evening." 

"  Did  you  make  yourself  known  to  him? " 

"Yes." 

"  Didn't  he  invite  you  to  spend  the  night  in 
the  house  ? " 

"  Not  he.  He  saw  by  my  dress  that  I  was 
poor,  and  gave  me  a  lecture  on  my  shiftless 
ways." 

"  Still  he  might  have  taken  care  of  you  for 
one  night." 


24  Chester  Rand. 

"  He  wouldn't.  He  told  me  he  washed  his 
hands  of  me." 

Chester  looked  sober.  He  was  shocked  by 
Silas  Tripp's  want  of  humanity. 

"  You  asked  me  where  you  could  find  a  bed," 
he  said.  "Come  home  with  me,  and  I  can 
promise  you  shelter  for  one  night,  at  least." 

"Thank  you,  boy,"  said  Bruce,  grasping 
Chester's  hand.  "You  have  a  heart.  But 
— perhaps  your  parents  might  object. " 

"I  have  no  father.  My  mother  is  always 
ready  to  do  a  kind  act." 

' '  Then  I  will  accept  your  kind  offer.  I  feared 
I  should  have  to  stay  out  all  night." 

"  And  without  an  overcoat,"  said  Chester, 
compassion  ately . 

"  Yes,  I  had  to  part  with  my  overcoat  long 
since.  I  could  not  afford  such  a  luxury.  I 
suppose  you  understand  !  " 

"You  sold  it  3" 

"  No,  I  pawned  it.  I  didn't  get  much  for  it 
— only  three  dollars,  but  it  would  be  as  easy  for 
me  to  take  the  church  and  move  it  across  the 
street  as  to  redeem  it." 

"  You  appear  to  have  been  unfortunate." 

"Yes.  Fortune  and  I  are  at  odds.  Yet  I 
ought  to  have  some  money." 

"How's  that?" 

"  When  my  mother  died  uncle  Silas  acted  as 
executor  of  her  estate.  It  was  always  supposed 


Chester  Rand.  25 

that  she  had  some  money — probably  from  two 
to  three  thousand  dollars — but  when  uncle  Silas 
rendered  in  his  account  it  had  dwindled  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  Of  course 
that  didn't  last  me  long." 

kt  Do  you  think  that  he  acted  wrongfully  2" 
asked  Chester,  startled. 

"  Do  I  think  so  ?  I  have  no  doubt  of  it.  You 
know  money  is  his  god." 

"  Yet  to  cheat  his  own  nephew  would  be  so 
base." 

"•  Is  there  anything  too  base  for  such  a  man 
to  do  to  get  money  ?  " 

The  young  man  spoke  bitterly. 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  Chester's  home. 
Hisjmother  was  still  up.  She  looked  up  in  sur 
prise  at  her  son's  companion. 

t;  Mother,"  said  Chester,  'k  this  is  Mr.  Bruce. 
Do  you  think  we  can  give  him  a  bed  ? " 

"  Why,  certainly,"  replied  Mrs.  Band,  cordi 
ally.  "  Have  you  had  supper,  sir  ?  " 

%<  I  wouldn't  like  to  trouble  you,  ma'am." 

"It  will  be  no  trouble.  I  can  make  some 
tea  in  five  minutes.  Chester,  take  out  the 
bread  and  butter  and  cold  meat  from  the  closet." 

So  before  he  went  to  bed  the  homeless  way 
farer  was  provided  with  a  warm  meal,  and  the 
world  seemed  brighter  and  more  cheerful  to 
him. 


*6  Chester  Rand 

CHAPTER  IV. 

A  DYING   GIFT. 

IN  the  morning  Walter  Bruce  came  down  to 
breakfast  looking  pale  and  sick.  He  had  taken 
a  severe  cold  from  scanty  clothing  and  expos 
ure  to  the  winter  weather. 

"  You  have  a  hard  cough,  Mr.  Bruce,"  said 
Mrs.  Band,  in  a  tone  of  sympathy. 

"Yes,  madam;  my  lungs  were  always 
sensitive." 

When  breakfast  was  over  he  took  his  hat  and 
prepared  fco  go. 

"  I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  kind  hos 
pitality,"  he  began.  Then  he  was  attacked  by 
a  fit  of  coughing. 

"Where  are  you  going.  Mr.  Bruce?"  asked 
Chester. 

"I  don't  know,"  he  answered,  despondently. 
"  I  came  to  Wyncombe  to  see  my  uncle  Silas, 
but  he  will  have  nothing  to  say  to  me  " 

Chester  and  his  mother  exchanged  looks. 
The  same  thought  was  in  the  mind  of  each. 

"  Stay  with  us  a  day  or  two,"  said  Mrs  Rand. 
"  You  are  not  fit  to  travel.  You  need  rest  and 
care." 

"  But  I  shall  be  giving  you  a  great  deal  of 
trouble." 

"We  shall  not  consider  it  such."  said  Mrs 
Rand, 


Chester  Rand.  27 

"  Then  I  will  accept  your  kind  offer,  for  in- 
deed  I  am  very  unwell." 

Before  the  end  of  the  day  the  young  man 
was  obliged  to  go  to  bed,  and  a  doctor 
was  summoned.  Bruce  was  pronounced  to 
have  a  low  fever,  and  to  be  quite  unfit  to 
travel. 

Mrs.  Rand  and  Glister  began  to  feel  anxious. 
Their  hearts  were  filled  with  pity  for  the  young 
man,  but  how  could  they  bear  the  expense 
which  this  sickness  would  entail  upon  them  ? 

"  Silas  Tripp  is  his  uncle,"  said  Mrs.  Rand. 
"He  ought  to  contribute  the  expense  of  his 
sickness." 

"  I  will  go  and  see  him,"  said  Chester.  So 
he  selected  a  time  when  business  would  be 
slack  in  the  store,  and  called  in.  He  found 
Mr.  Trip  in  a  peevish  mood. 

"How  are  you,  Chester?"  he  said.  "I 
wish  you  was  back." 

"  Why,  Mr.  Tripp  ?  You've  got  Abel  Wood 
in  my  place." 

"  He  ain't  of  much  account,"  grumbled  Silas. 
"What  do  you  think  he  done  this  mornin'  ?'' 

"I  don't  know,  sir." 

"He  smashed  two  dozen  eggs,  and  eggs 
twenty-two  cents  a  dozen.  But  I'll  take  it  out 
of  his  salary.  He's  dreadful  awkward,  that 
boy! " 

"Poor    Abel!"  thougnt   Chester.     "I   am 


28  Chester  Rand. 

afraid  he  won't  have  much  salary  coming  to 
him  at  the  end  of  the  week." 

"  You  never  broke  no  eggs  while  you  was 
here,  Chester." 

"No;  I  don't  think  I  did." 

"  You'd  ought  to  have  stayed." 

"  I  couldn't  stay  on  the  salary  you  offered 
But,  Mr.  Tripp,  I've  come  here  on  business. ' 

"Hey?    What  about?" 

"  Your  nephew,  Walter  Bruce,  is  staying  at 
our  house." 

"  Is  he  ? "  returned  Silas  Tripp,,  indifferently, 

"  And  he  is  sick." 

"I  don't  feel  no  interest  in  him,"  said  Silas, 
doggedly. 

"  Are  you  willing  to  pay  his  expenses  ?  He 
has  no  money." 

"No,  I  ain't,"  snarled  Silas.  "Ef  you  take 
him  you  take  him  at  your  own  risk." 

"You  wouldn't  have  us  turn  him  into  the 
street  ? "  said  Chester,  indignantly. 

"  You  can  do  as  you  like.  It  ain't  no  affair 
of  mine.  I  s'pose  he  sent  you  here." 

"  No,  he  didn't ;  and  I  wouldn't  have  oome  if 
we  had  been  better  fixed.  But  we  haven't 
enough  money  to  live  on  ourselves." 

"  Then  tell  him  to  go  away.  I  never  wanted 
him  to  come  to  Wyncombe. " 

"It  seems  to  me  you  ought  to  do  something 
for  your  own  nephew." 


Chester  Rand.  29 

:).  can't  support  all  my  relations,  and  I 
won't,"  said  Silas,  testily.  "It  ain't  no  use 
talkin'.  Walter  Bruce  is  shif  less  and  lazy,  or 
hs'd  take  care  of  himself.  I  ain't  no  call  to 
keep  him." 

"Then  you  won't  do  anything  for  him? 
Even  two  dollars  a  week  would  help  him  very 
much." 

"  Two  dollars  a  week!"  ejaculated  Silas. 
^  You  must  think  I  am  made  of  money.  Why, 
two  dollars  a  week  would  make  a  hundred  and 
four  dollars  a  year." 

"  That  wouldn't  be  much  for  a  man  of  your 
means,  Mr.  Tripp." 

' '  You  talk  foolish,  Chester.  I  have  to  work 
hard  for  a  livin'.  If  I  helped  all  my  shif 'less 
relations  I'd  end  my  days  in  the  poorhouse." 

"I  don't  think  you'll  go  there  from  that 
cause,'"  Chester  could  not  help  saying. 

"  I  guess  not.  I  ain't  a  fool.  Let  every  tub 
stand  en  its  own  bottom,  I  say.  But  I  won't 
be  too  hard.  Here's  twenty-five  cents,"  and 
Silas  took  a  battered  quarter  from  the  money 
drawer. 

"  Take  it  and  use  it  careful." 

"  I  think  we  will  try  to  get  along  without 
it,"  said  Chester,  with  a  curl  of  the  lip.  "Fin 
afraid  you  can't  afford  it." 

"Do  just  as  you  like,"  said  Silas,  putting 
back  the  money  with  a  sigh  of  relief,  "but 


3o  Chester  Rand. 

don't  say  I  didn't  offer  to  do  something  for 
Walter." 

"  No  ;  I  will  tell  him  how  much  you  offered 
to  give." 

"  That's  a  queer  boy,"  said  Mr.  Tripp,  as 
Chester  left  the  store.  "  Seems  to  want  me  to 
pay  all  Walter  Bruce's  expenses.  What  made 
him  come  to  Wyncombe  to  get  sick  ?  He'd 
better  have  stayed  where  he  lived,  and  then 
he'd  have  had  a  claim  to  go  to  the  poorhouse. 
He  can't  live  on  me,  I  tell  him  that.  Them 
Rands  are  foolish  to  take  him  in.  They're  as 
poor  as  poverty  themselves,  and  now  they've 
taken  in  a  man  who  ain't  no  claim  on  them.  I 
expect  they  thought  they'd  get  a  good  sum  out 
of  me  for  boardin'  him.  There's  a  great  many 
onrasonable  people  in  the  world." 

"  I  will  go  and  see  Mr.  Morris,  the  minister," 
decided  the  perplexed  Chester.  "He  will  tell 
me  what  to  do. '' 

Accordingly  he  called  on  the  minister  and 
unfolded  the  story  to  sympathetic  ears. 

"You  did  right,  Chester,"  said  Mr.  Morris 
"The  poor  fellow  was  fortunate  to  fall  into 
your  hands.  But  won't  it  be  too  much  for 
your  mother  ? " 

"It's  the  expense  I  am  thinking  of,  Mr. 
Morris.  You  know  I  have  lost  my  situation, 
and  mother  has  no  shoes  to  bind." 

"lean  help  you,  Chester.     A  rich  lady  of 


Chester  Rand.  31 

my  acquaintance  sends  me  a  hundred  dollars 
every  year  to  bestow  in  charity.  I  will  devote 
a  part  of  this  to  the  young  man  whom  you 
have  so  kindly  taken  in,  say  at  the  rate  of 
eight  dollars  a  week." 

"That  will  make  us  feel  easy,"  said  Chester 
gratefully.     "How  much   do  you    think    hu 
uncle  offered  me  ? " 

"  I  am  surprised  that  he  should  have  offered 
anything." 

"  He  handed  me  twenty-five  cents,  but  I  told 
him  I  thought  we  could  get  along  without  it." 

"And  you  will.  Silas  Tripp  has  a  small 
soul,  hardly  worth  saving.  He  has  made 
money  his  god,  and  serves  his  chosen  deity 
faithfully." 

"  I  wouldn't  change  places  with  him  for  all 
his  wealth." 

"  Some  day  you  may  be  as  rich  as  he,  but  I 
hope,  if  you  are,  you  will  use  your  wealth 
better." 

At  the  beginning  of  the  third  week  Walter 
Bruce  became  suddenly  worse.  His  constitu 
tion  was  fragile,  and  the  disease  had  under 
mined  his  strength.  The  doctor  looked  grave. 

"Do  you  think  I  shall  pull  through,  doc 
tor  ?  "  asked  the  young  man. 

"While  there  is  life  there  is  hope,  Mr. 
Bruce." 

"  That  means  that  the  odds  are  against  me  f  * 


32  Chester  Rand. 

"  Yes,  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  you  are  right/' 

Walter  Bruce  looked  thoughtful. 

"  I  don't  think  I  care  much  for  life,"  he  said. 
"I  have  had  many  disappointments,  and  1 
know  that  at  the  best  I  could  never  be  strong 
and  enjoy  life  as  most  of  my  age  do— I  am 
resigned." 

"  How  old  are  you,  Walter? "  asked  Chester. 

"  Twenty-nine.     It  is  a  short  life." 

"  Is  there  anyone  you  would  wish  me  to 
notify  if  the  worst  comes  ? " 

"  No,  I  have  scarcely  a  relative — except  Silas 
Tripp,"  he  added,  with  a  bitter  smile. 

"  You  have  no  property  to  dispose  of  by 
will  ? "  asked  the  doctor. 

"Yes,"  was  the  unexpected  answer,  "but 
I  shall  not  make  a  will.  A  will  may  be  con 
tested.  I  will  give  it  away  during  my  life." 

Chester  and  the  doctor  looked  surprised. 
They  thought  the  other  might  refer  to  a  riDg 
or  some  small  article. 

"I  want  everything  to  be  legal,"  resumed 
Bruce.  "Is  there  a  lawyer  in  the  village ? " 

"Yes,  Lawyer  Gardener." 

"  Send  for  him.  I  shall  feel  easier  when  I 
have  attended  to  this  last  duty." 

Within  half  an  hour  the  lawyer  was  at  his 
bedside. 

' '  In  the  inside  pocket  of  my  coat, "  said 
Walter  Bruce,  "you  will  find  a  document.  It 


Chester  Kand.  33 

is  the  deed  of  five  lots  in  the  town  of  Tacoma, 
in  Washington  Territory.  I  was  out  there  last 
year,  and  having  a  little  money,  bought  the 
lots  for  a  song.  They  are  worth  very  little 
now.  but  some  time  they  may  be  of  value/' 

4*  To  whom  do  you  wish  to  give  them  ? "  asked 
Mr.  Gardner. 

"  To  this  boy,"  answered  Bruce,  looking 
affectionately  toward  Chester.  t4He  and  his 
have  been  my  best  friends." 

"But   your  uncle — he  is  a  relative!1'    sag 
gested  Chester. 

*'  lie  lias  no  claim  upon  me.  Lawyer,  m;iV  i 
out  a  deed  of  gift  of  these  lots  to  Chester  },,^n<l, 
ami  I  will  sign  it." 

The  writing  was  completed,  Bruo  found 
strength  to  sign  it,  and  then  sank  nr.ck  ex 
hausted.  Two  days  later  he  died.  Of  course 
the  eight  dollars  a  week  from  tbr  minister's 
fund  ceased  to  be  paid  to  the  Rajvls.  Chester 
had  not  succeeded  in  obtaining1  work.  To  be 
sure  he  had  the  five  lots  in  Tacoma,  but  he  who 
had  formerly  owned  them  had  died  a  pauper. 
The  outlook  was  very  dark. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHESTER'S  FIRST  SUCCESS. 
Chester  and  his  mother  and  a  few  friends 
attended  the  funeral  of  Walter  Bruce.     Silas 
Tripp  was    too    busy  at   the  store  to  pay  this 


34  Chester  Rand. 

parting  compliment  to  his  nephew.  He  ex 
pressed  himself  plainly  about  the  folly  of  the 
Katids  in  <k  runnin'  into  debt  for  a  shif  less 
fellow1'  who  had  no  claim  upon  them.  "If 
they  expect  me  to  pay  the  funeral  expenses 
they're  mistaken,"  he  added,  positively.  "  I 
ain't  no  call  to  do  it,  and  I  won't  do  it." 

But  he  was  not  asked  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  the  simple  funeral.  It  was  paid  for  out  of 
the  minister's  charitable  fund. 

"  Some  time  I  will  pay  you  back  the  money, 
Mr.  Morris,"  said  Chester.  "I  am  Mr.  Bruce's 
heir,  and  it  is  right  that  I  should  pay." 

"  Very  well,  Chester.  If  your  bequest 
amounts  to  anything  I  will  not  object.  I  hope 
for  your  sake  that  the  lots  may  become 
valuable." 

"  I  don't  expect  it,  Mr.  Morris.  Will  you  be 
kind  enough  to  take  care  of  the  papers  for 
me?" 

"  Certainly,  Chester.  I  will  keep  them  with 
my  own  papers." 

At  this  time  Tacoma  contained  only  foui 
hundred  inhabitants.  The  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad  had  not  been  completed,  and  there 
was  no  certainty  when  it  would  be.  So  Chester 
did  not  pay  much  attention  or  give  much 
thought  to  his  Western  property,  but  began  to 
look  round  anxiously  for  something  to  do. 

During  the  sickness  of  Walter  Bruce  he  had 


Chester  Rand  35 

given  up  his  time  to  helping  his  mother  and 
the  care  of  the  sick  man.  The  money  received 
from  the  minister  enabled  him  to  do  this.  Now 
the  weekly  income  had  ceased,  and  it  became 
a  serious  question  what  he  should  do  to  bring 
in  an  income. 

He  had  almost  forgotten  his  meeting  with 
Herbert  Conrad,  the  young  artist,  when  the 
day  after  the  funeral  he  received  a  letter  in  an 
unknown  hand,  addressed  to  "  Master  Chester 
Eand,  Wyncombe,  New  York." 

As  he  opened  it,  his  eyes  opened  wide  with 
surprise  and  joy,  when  two  five-dollar  bills  flut 
tered  to  the  ground,  for  he  had  broken  the  seal 
in  front  of  the  post  office. 

He  read  the  letter  eagerly.     It  ran  thus  : 

"  DEAR  CHESTER  :— I  am  glad  to  say  that  I  have  sold  your 
sketch  for  ten  dollars  to  one  of  the  papers  I  showed  you  at 
Wyncombe.  If  you  have  any  others  ready,  send  them  along. 
Try  to  think  up  some  bright,  original  idea,  and  illustrate  it  in 
your  best  style.  Then  send  to  me. 

"  Your  sincere  friend,  HERBERT." 

Chester  hardly  knew  whether  he  was  stand 
ing  on  his  head  or  his  heels.  It  seems  almost 
incredible  that  a  sketch  which  he  had  dashed 
off  in  twenty  minutes  should  bring  in  such  a 
magnificent  sum. 

And  for  the  first  time  it  dawned  upon  him 
he  was  an  artist.  Fifty  dollars  gained  in  any 
other  way  would  not  have  given  him  so  much 
satisfaction.  Why,  it  was  only  three  weeks 
that  he  had  been  out  of  a  place,  and  he  had  re- 


36  Chester  Rand. 

ceived  more  than  he  would  have  been  paid  in 
that  time  by  Mr.  Tripp. 

He  decided  to  tell  no  one  of  his  good  luck  but 
his  mother  and  the  minister.  If  he  were  fortu 
nate  enough  to  earn  more,  the  neighbors  might 
wonder  as  they  pleased  about  the  source  of  his 
supplies.  The  money  came  at  the  right  time, 
for  his  mother  needed  some  articles  at  the  store. 
He  concluded  to  get  them  on  the  way  home. 

Silas  Tripp  was  weighing  out  some  sugar  for 
a  customer  when  Chester  entered.  Silas  eyed 
him  sharply,  and  was  rather  surprised  to  find 
him  cheerful  and  in  good  spirits. 

"  How's  your  mother  this  mornin',  Chester '?  " 
asked  the  grocer. 

"Pretty  well,  thank  you,  Mr.  Tripp." 

"  Are  you  doin'  anything  yet  ? " 

"  There  doesn't  seem  to  be  much  work  to  do 
in  Wyncombe,"  answered  Chester,  noncom- 
mittally. 

4 'You  was  foolish  to  leave  a  stiddy  job  at 
the  store." 

"I  couldn't  afford  to  work  for  the  money 
you  offered  me." 

"Two  dollars  and  a  quarter  is  better  than 
nothin'.  I  would  have  paid  you  two  and  a  half. 
I  like  you  better  than  that  Wood  boy.  Is  your 
mother  workin'  ? " 

<;  She  is  doing  a  little  sewing,  but  she  had  no 
time  for  that  with  a  sick  man  in  the  house." 


Cnester  Rand.  37 

"  I  don't  see  what  made  you  keep  a  man  that 
was  no  kith  or  kin  to  you." 

"  Would  you  have  had  us  put  him  into  the 
street,  Mr.  Tripp  ?  " 

"I'd  have  laid  the  matter  before  the  selec'- 
men,  and  got  him  into  the  poorhouse." 

"  Well,  it  is  all  over  now,  and  I'm  not  sorry 
that  we  cared  for  the  poor  fellow.  I  would  like 
six  pounds  of  sugar  and  two  of  butter." 

' '  You  ain't  goin'  to  run  a  bill,  be  you  ? " 
asked  Silas,  cautiously.  "I  can't  afford  to 
trust  out  any  more." 

"We  don't  owe  you  anything,  do  we,  Mr. 
Tripp  ? " 

"  No  ;  but  I  thought  mebbe- 

"I  will  pay  for  the  articles,"  said  Chester, 
briefly. 

When  he  tendered  the  five-dollar  bill  Silas 
Tripp  looked  amazed. 

"  Where  did  you  get  so  much  money  ? "  he 
gasped. 

"  Isn't  it  a  good  bill  ?"  asked  Chester. 

"Wrhy,  yes,  but— 

"  I  think  that  is  all  you  have  a  right  to  ask," 
said  Chester,  firmly.  "It  can't  make  any  dif 
ference  to  you  where  it  came  from." 

"I  thought  you  were  poor,"  said  Mr.  Tripp. 

"So  we  are." 

"  But  it  seems  strange  that  you  should  have 
BO  much  money." 


38  Chester  Rand. 

<:  Five  dollars  isn't  much  money,  Mr.  Tripp." 

Then  a  sudden  idea  came  to  Silas  Tripp,  and 
he  paused  in  weighing  out  the  butter. 

"Did  my  nephew  leave  any  money?1*  he 
asked,  sharply. 

44  Yes,  sir  " 

"  Then  I  iay  claim  to  it.  I'm  his  only  rela 
tion,  and  it  is  right  that  I  should  have  it." 

"  You  shall  have  it  if  you  will  pay  the  ex 
pense  of  his  illness." 

"  Humph  !  how  much  did  he  leave  ? " 

"Thirty-seven  cents." 

Mr.  Tripp  looked  discomfited. 

"  You  can  keep  it,"  he  said,  magnanimously. 
"I  don't  lay  no  claim  to  it." 

"Thank  you,"  returned  Chester,  gravely. 

"Then  this  five-dollar  bill  didn't  come  from 
him  ? " 

"  How  could  it  ?  he  hadn't  as  much  money 
in  the  world." 

"  He  was  a  shif'less  man.  '  A  rolling  stone 
gathers  no  moss,'"  observed  Mr.  Tripp,  in  a 
moralizing  tone. 

"You  haven't  been  a  rolling  stone,  Mr. 
Tripp." 

"No  ;  I've  stuck  to  the  store  year  in  and 
year  out  for  thirty-five  years,  I  ain't  had 
more'n  three  days  off  in  that  time." 

"  If  I  had  your  money,  Mr.  Tripp,  I'd  go  off 
and  enjoy  myself." 


Chester  Rand.  39 

"What,  and  leave  the  store?5'  said  Silas* 
aghast  at  the  thought. 

"  You  could  hire  some  one  to  run  it." 

"  I  wouldn't  find  much  left  when  I  came 
back;  No,  I  must  stay  at  home  and  attend  to 
business.  Do  your  folks  go  to  bed  early, 
Chester  ? " 

"  Not  before  ten,"  answered  Chester,  in  some 
surprise. 

"  Then  I'll  call  this  evenin'  after  the  store  is 
closed." 

"  Very  well,  sir.     You'll  find  us  up." 

The  idea  had  occurred  to  Mr.  Tripp  that  Mrs. 
Rand  must  be  very  short  of  money,  and  might 
be  induced  to  dispose  of  her  place  at  a  largely 
reduced  figure.  It  would  be  a  good-paying  in 
vestment  for  him,  and  he  was  not  above  taking 
advantage  of  a  poor  widow's  necessities.  Of 
course  neither  Mrs.  Rand  nor  Chester  had 
any  idea  of  his  motives  or  intentions,  and 
they  awaited  his  visit  with  considerable  curi 
osity. 

About  fifteen  minutes  after  nine  a  shuffling 
was  heard  at  the  door,  there  was  a  knock,  and 
a  minute  later  Chester  admitted  the  thin  and 
shriveled  figure  of  Silas  Tripp. 

"  Good  -evening,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  Mrs.  Band, 
politely. 

"  Good -evenin',  ma'am,  I  thought  I'd  call  in 
and  inquire  how  you  were  gettin'  along/* 


40  Chester  Rand. 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Tripp,  for  the  interest  you 
show  in  our  affairs.  We  are  not  doing  very 
well,  as  you  may  imagine." 

"  So  I  surmised,  ma'am.     So  I  surmised." 

"  It  can't  be  possible  he  is  going  to  offer  us 
a  loan,"  thought  Chester. 

"  You've  got  a  tidy  little  place  here,  ma'am. 
It  isn't  mortgaged,  I  rec'on." 

' 'No,  Sir." 

"Why  don't  you  sell  it?  You  need  the 
money,  and  you  might  hire  another  house,  or 
pay  rent  for  this." 

"  Do  you  know  of  anyone  that  wants  to  buy 
it,  Mr.  Tripp  ?  " 

"Mebbe  I'd  buy  it  myself,  jest  to  help  you 
along,"  answered  Silas,  cautiously. 

"  How  much  would  you  be  willing  to  give  ? " 
put  in  Chester. 

"  Well,  I  calculate — real  estate's  very  low  at 
present — three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  would 
be  a  fair  price." 

Mrs.  Rand  looked  amazed. 

"  Three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  !  "  she 
ejaculated.  "Why,  it  is  worth  at  least  seven 
hundred." 

"You  couldn't  get  it,  ma'am.  That's  a 
fancy  price." 

1  i  What  rent  would  you  charge  in  case  we 
sold  it  to  you,  Mr.  Tripp,"  asked  Chester. 

'*  Well,  say  five  dollars  a  month." 


Chester  Rand.  41 

"  About  sixteen  or  seventeen  per  cent,  on 
the  purchase  money. " 

"Well,  I'd  have  to  pay  taxes  and  repairs,'' 
explained  Tripp. 

"  I  don't  care  to  sell,  Mr.  Tripp,'  said  Mrs, 
Rand,  decisively. 

"  You  may  have  to,  ma'am." 

"If  we  do  we  shall  try  to  get  somewhere 
near  its  real  value." 

"Just  as  you  like,  ma'am,"  said  Silas,  disap 
pointed.  "  I'd  pay  you  cash  down." 

"  If  I  decide  to  sell  on  your  terms  I'll  let  you 
know,''  said  Mrs.  Rand. 

"  Oh,  well,  I  ain't  set  upon  it.  I  only  wanted 
to  do  you  a  favor." 

"  We  appreciate  your  kindness,"  said  Mrs. 
Rand,  dryly. 

' (  Women  don't  know  much  about  business,  " 
muttered  Silas,  as  he  plodded  home?  disap 
pointed, 

CHAPTER  VI. 

ROBERT      RAMSAY. 

MRS.  RAND  was  as  much  amazed  as  Chester 
himself  at  his  success  as  an  artist. 

"  How  long  were  you  in  making  the  draw 
ing  ? "  she  asked. 

"  Twenty  minutes." 

"And  you  received  ten  dollars.  It  doesn't 
seem  possible." 


42  Chester  Rand. 

" 1  wish  1  could  work  twenty  minutes  every 
week  at  that  rate,"  laughed  Chester.  "  It  would 
pay  me  better  than  working  for  Silas  Tripp." 

"  Perhaps  you  can  get  some  more  work  of 
the  same  kind  ? " 

"I  shall  send  two  more  sketches  to  Mr.  Con- 
rad  in  a  day  or  two.  I  shall  take  pains  and  do 
my  best." 

Two  days  later  Chester  sent  on  the  sketches, 
and  then  set  about  trying  to  find  a  job  of  some 
kind  in  the  village.  He  heard  of  only  one. 

An  elderly  farmer,  Job  Dexter,  offered 
him  a  dollar  a  week  and  board  if  he  would 
work  for  him.  He  would  have  eight  cows 
to  milk  morning  and  night,  the  care  of  the 
barn,  and  a  multitude  of  "chores"  to  attend 
to. 

"How  much  will  you  give  me  if  I  board  at 
home,  Mr.  Dexter  ? "  asked  Chester. 

"I  must  have  you  in  the  house.  I  can't 
have  you  trapesing  home  when  you  ought  to  be 
at  work." 

"  Then  I  don't  think  I  can  come,  Mr.  Dex 
ter.  A  dollar  a  week  wouldn't  pay  me." 

A  dollar  a  week  and  board  is  good  pay  for  a 
ooy,"  said  the  farmer. 

*  '  It  may  be  for  some  boys,  but  not  for  me. " 

Chester  reflected  that  if  he  worked  all  day 
at  the  farmer's  he  could  not  do  any  artistic 
work,  and  so  would  lose  much  more  than  he 


Chester  Rand.  43 

made.  The  sketch  sold  by  Mr.  Conrad  brought 
him  in  as  much  as  he  would  receive  in  ten 
weeks  from  Farmer  Dexter. 

"  Wyncombe  people  don't  seem  very  .liberal, 
mother,"  said  Chester,  "I  thought  Mr.  Tripp 
pretty  close,  but  Job  Dexter  beats  him." 

In  the  meantime  he  met  Abel  Wood  carry* 
ing  groceries  to  a  family  in  the  village. 

4 '  Have  you  got  a  place  yet,  Chester  ? "  he 
asked. 

"  No;  but  I  have  a  chance  of  one." 

' '  Where?" 

"At  Farmer  Dexter's." 

"  Don't  you  go  1     I  worked  for  him  once." 

" How  did  you  like  it?" 

"  It  almost  killed  me.  I  had  to  get  up  at 
half  past  four,  work  till  seven  in  the  evening, 
and  all  for  a  dollar  a  week  and  board." 

"Was  the  board  good?"  inquired  Chester, 
curiously. 

"  It  was  the  poorest  livin'  I  ever  haJI.  Mrs. 
Dexter  don't  know  much  about  cookin'.  We 
had  baked  beans  for  dinner  three  times  a  week, 
because  they  were  cheap,  and  what  was  left 
was  put  on  for  breakfast  the  next  mornin'." 

"I  like  baked  beans." 

"You  wouldn't  like  them  as  Mrs.  Dexter 
cooked  them,  and  you  wouldn't  want  them  for 
BIX  meals  a  week." 

"No,  I  don't  think  I  should,"  said  Chester 


44  Chester  Rand. 

smiling.  "  How  do  you  get  along  with  Silas 
Tripp  ? " 

"  He's  always  scoldin' ;  he  says  I  am  not  half 
as  smart  as  you." 

"  I  am  much  obliged  to  Mr.  Tripp  for  his 
favorable  opinion,  but  he  didn't  think  enough 
of  me  to  give  me  decent  pay." 

"  He's  awful  mean.  He's  talkin'  of  reducin'' 
me  to  two  dollars  a  week.  He  says  business 
is  very  poor,  arid  he  isn't  makin'  any  money." 

"I  wish  you  and  I  were  making  half  as 
much  as  he." 

"  There's  one  thing  T  don't  understand, 
Chester.  You  ain't  workin',  yet  you  seem  to 
have  money." 

"  How  do  you  know  I  have  ?" 

"  Mr.  Tripp  says  you  came  into  the  store 
three  or  four  days  ago  and  changed  a  five-dol 
iar  bill." 

"  Yes ;  Mr.  Tripp  seemed  anxious  to  know 
where  I  got  it." 

"You  didn't  use  to  have  five-dollar  bills, 
Chester,  when  you  were  at  work." 

"This  five-dollar  bill  dropped  down  the  chim 
ney  one  fine  morning,"  said  Chester,  laughing. 

"  I  wish  one  would  drop  down  my  chimney. 
But  I  must  be  gettin'  along,  or  old  Tripp  will 
give  me  hail  Columbia  when  I  get  back." 

About  nine  o'clock  that  evening,  as  Chester 
was  returning  from  a  lecture  in  the  church,  he 


Chester  Rand.  45 

was  accosted  by  a  rough-looking  fellow  having 
very  much  the  appearance  of  a  tramp,  who 
seemed  somewhat  under  the  influence  of  liquor. 

"  I  say,  boss,"  said  the  tramp,  "  can't  you 
give  a  poor  man  a  quarter  to  help  him  along  ?  " 

"  Are  you  out  of    work?"  asked   Chester 
staying  his  step. 

"Yes  ;  times  is  hard  and  work  is  scarce.  1 
haven't  earned  anything  for  a  month." 

' 1  Where  do  you  come  from  ? " 

"From  Pittsburg,"  answered  the  tramp, 
with  some  hesitation. 

"  What  do  you  work  at  when  you  are  em- 
ployed?" 

' '  I  am  a  machinist.  Is  there  any  chance  in 
that  line  here  ? " 

"Not  in  Wyncombe." 

"That's  what  I  thought.  How  about  that 
quarter  ? " 

"I  am  out  of  work  myself  and  quarters  are 
scarce  with  me." 

"That's  what  you  all  say!  There's  small 
show  for  a  good,  industrious  man." 

Chester  thought  to  himself  that  if  the 
stranger  was  a  good,  industrious  man  he  was 
unfortunate  in  his  appearance. 

"I  have  sympathy  for  all  who  are  out 
of  work,"  he  said.  "  Mother  and  I  are  poor. 
When  I  did  work  I  only  got  three  dollars  a 
week." 


46  Chester  Rand. 

"  Where  did  you  work  ? " 

"  In  Mr.  Tripp's  store,  in  the  center  of  the 
village." 

"  I  know.  It's  a  two-story  building,  ain't  it, 
with  a  piazza,  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  Has  the  old  fellow  got  money  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  Silas  Tripp  is  rich." 

"So?  He  didn't  pay  you  much  wages, 
though." 

*  *  No ;  he  feels  poor.  I  dare  say  he  feels 
poorer  than  I  do." 

"Such  men  ought  not  to  have  money," 
growled  the  tramp.  "  They're  keepin'  it  out 
of  the  hands  of  honest  men.  What  sort  of  a 
lookin'  man  is  this  man  Tripp  ?  Is  he  as  big 
as  me  ? " 

"Oh,  no,  he  is  a  thin,  dried-up,  little  man, 
who  looks  as  if  he  hadn't  had  a  full  meal  of 
victuals  in  his  life." 

"What  time  does  he  shut  up  shop  ?  " 

"  About  this  time,"  answered  Chester,  rather 
puzzled  by  the  tramp's  persistence  in  asking 
questions. 

"  What's  your  name  ? " 

"Chester  Rand." 

"  Can't  you  give  me  a  quarter  ?  I'm  awful 
hungry.  I  ain't  had  a  bit  to  eat  since  yester 
day." 

"I  have  no  money  to  give  you,  but  if  you 


Chester  Rand.  47 

will  come  to  our  house  I'll  give  you  some 
supper." 

"  Where  do  you  live?" 

"  About  five  minutes'  walk," 

"Go ahead,  then  ;  I'm  with  you." 

Mrs.  Rand  looked  up  with  surprise  when  the 
door  opened  and  Chester  entered,  followed  by 
an  ill-looking  tramp,  whose  clothes  were  red 
olent  of  tobacco,  and  his  breath  of  whisky. 

"  Mother,"  said  Chester,  "  this  man  tells  me 
that  he  hasn't  had  anything  to  eat  since  yester 
day." 

"No  more  I  haven't,"  spoke  up  the  tramp, 
in  a  hoarse  voice. 

"He  asked  for  some  money.  I  could  not 
give  him  that,  but  I  told  him  we  would  give 
him  some  supper." 

"Of  course  we  will,"  said  Mrs.  Rand,  in  a 
tone  of  sympathy.  She  did  not  admire  the 
appearance  of  her  late  visitor,  but  her  heart 
was  alive  to  the  appeal  of  a  hungry  man. 

"Sit  down,  sir,"  she  said,  "and  I'll  make 
some  hot  tea,  and  that  with  some  bread  and 
butter  and  cold  meat  will  refresh  you." 

"  Thank  you,  ma'am,  I  ain't  overpartial  to 
tea,  and  my  doctor  tells  me  I  need  whisky. 
You  don't  happen  to  have  any  whisky  in  the 
house,  do  you  ? " 

"  This  is  a  temperance  house,"  said  Chester, 
"  we  never  keep  whisky," 


4»  Chester  Rand. 

"  Well,  maybe  I  can  get  along  with  the  tea,* 
sighed  the  tramp,  in  evident  disappointment. 

44  You  look  strong  and  healthy,"  observed 
Mrs.  Rand. 

"  I  ain't,  ma'am.  Looks  is  very  deceiving. 
I've  got  a  weakness  here,"  and  he  touched  the 
pit  of  his  stomach,  "that  calls  for  strengtheniii' 
drink.  But  I'll  be  glad  of  the  victuals." 

When  the  table  was  spread  with  an  extem 
porized  supper,  the  unsavory  visitor  sat  down, 
and  did  full  justice  to  it.  He  even  drank  the 
tea,  though  he  made  up  a  face  and  called  it 
"slops." 

"Where  did  you  come  from,  sir?"  asked 
Mrs.  Rand. 

"From  Chicago,  ma'am." 

"Were  you  at  work  there?  What  is  your 
business  ? " 

"I'm  a  blacksmith,  ma'am." 

''I  thought  you  were  a  machinist  and  came 
from  Pittsburg,"  interrupted  Chester,  in  sur 
prise. 

"  I   came  here  by  way  of  Pittsburg,"   an 
swered  the  tramp,  coughing.     "lam  machin 
ist,  too." 

"  His  stories  don't  seem  to  hang  together," 
thought  Chester.  - 

After  supper  the  tramp,  who  said  his  name 
was  Robert  Ramsay,  took  out  his  pipe  and 
began  to  smoke.  If  it  had  not  been  a  cold 


Chester  Rand.  49 

evening,  Mrs.  Rand,  who  disliked  tobacco, 
would  have  asked  him  to  smoke  out  of  doors, 
but  as  it  was  she  tolerated  it. 

Both  Chester  and  his  mother  feared  that 
their  unwelcome  visitor  would  ask  to  stay  all 
night,  and  they  would  not  have  felt  safe  with 
him  in  the  house,  but  about  a  quarter  past  ten 
he  got  up  and  said  he  must  be  moving. 

* '  Good-night,  and  good  luck  to  you  ! "  said 
Chester. 

"  Same  to  you  !  "  returned  the  tramp. 

"I  wonder  where  he's  going,  "  thought 
Chester. 

But  when  the  next  morning  came  he  heard 
news  that  answered  this  question. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

SILAS  TRIPP  MAKES   A   DISCOVERY. 

WHEN  Silas  Tripp  went  into  his  store  the 
next  day  he  was  startled  to  find  a  window  in 
the  rear  was  partially  open. 

"How  did  that  window  come  open,  Abel  2" 
he  asked,  as  Abel  Wood  entered  the  store. 

44 1  don't  know,  sir." 

"It  must  have  been  you  that  opened  it," 
said  his  employer,  sternly. 

"I  didn't  do  it,  Mr.  Tripp,  honest  I  didn't/5 
declared  Abel,  earnestly. 

"Then  how  did  it  come  open,  that's  what  I 
want  to  know  * " 


5o  Chester  Rand, 

"I  am  sure  I  can't  tell." 

"  Somebody  might  have  come  in  during  the 
night  and  robbed  the  store." 

"So  there  might." 

"  It's  very  mysterious.  Such  things  didn't 
happen  when  Chester  was  here." 

Abel  made  no  answer,  but  began  to  sweep 
out  the  store,  his  first  morning  duty. 

When  Silas  spoke  of  the  store  being  robbed 
e  had  no  idea  that  such  a  robbing  had  taken 
place,  but  he  went  to  the  money  drawer  and 
opened  it  to  make  sure  all  was  safe. 

Instantly  there  was  a  cry  of  dismay. 

4 'Abel!"  he  exclaimed,  "I've  been  robbed. 
There's  a  lot  of  money  missing/' 

Abel  stopped  sweeping  and  turned  pale. 

"  Is  that  so,  Mr.  Tripp?"  he  asked,  faintly. 

"Yes,  there's — lemme  see.  There's  been 
burglars  here.  Oh,  this  is  terrible  !  " 

"  Who  could  have  done  it,  Mr.  Tripp  ?" 

"I  dunno,but  the  store  was  entered  last  night. 
1  never  shall  feel  safe  again,"  groaned  Silas. 

"Didn't  they  leave  no  traces?" 

"  Ha!  here's  a  handkerchief,"  said  Mr.  Tripp, 
taking  the  article  from  the  top  of  a  flour  bar 
rel,  "  and  yes,  by  gracious,  it's  marked  Chester 
Rand." 

"You  don't  think  he  took  the  money?" 
ejaculated  Abel,  in  open-eyed  wonder. 

"Of  course  it  must  have  been  him!    He 


Chester  Rand.  51 

knew  just  where  I  kept  the  money,  and  he 
could  find  his  way  about  in  the  dark,  he  knew 
the  store  so  well." 

"  I  didn't  think  Chester  would  do  such  a 
thing." 

"  That  s  how  he  came  by  his  five-dollar  bill. 
He  came  in  bold  as  brass  and  paid  me  with  my 
own  money — the  young  rascal !  " 

"But  how  could  he  do  it  if  the  money  was 
took  last  night  ?  It  was  two  or  three  days  ago 
he  paid  you  the  five-dollar  bill." 

This  was  a  poser,  but  Mr.  Tripp  was  equal  to 
the  emergency. 

"  He  must  have  robbed  me  before,"  he  said. 

"You  haven't  missed  money  before,  have 
you?" 

"  Not  to  my  knowledge,  but  he  must  have 
took  it.  Abel,  I  want  you  to  go  right  over  to 
the  Widow  Rand's  and  tell  Chester  I  want  to 
see  him.  I  dunno  but  I'd  better  send  the  con- 
stable  after  him." 

"  Shall  I  carry  him  his  handkerchief  ?" 

' 'No,  and  don't  tell  him  it's  been  found.  I 
don't  want  to  put  him  on  his  guard." 

Abel  put  his  broom  behind  the  door  and  be- 
took  himself  to  the  house  of  Mrs.  Eand. 

The  widow  herself  opened  the  door. 

"Is  Chester  at  home  ?"  asked  Abel. 

"Yes,  he's  eating  his  breakfast.  Do  you 
want  to  see  him  I " 


52  Chester  Rand. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Tripp  wants  to  see  him." 

"  Possibly  he  wants  Chester  to  give  him  a 
little  extra  help,''  she  thought. 

"  Won't  you  come  in  and  take  a  cup  of  coffee 
while  Chester  is  finishing  his  breakfast  ?  "  she 
said. 

"  Thank  you,  ma'am." 

Abel  was  a  boy  who  was  always  ready  to  eat 
and  drink,  and  he  accepted  the  invitation  with 
alacrity. 

"  So  Mr.  Tripp  wants  to  see  me  ?  "  said  Ches 
ter.  "  Do  you  know  what  it's  about?  " 

"  He'll  tell  you,"  answered  Abel,  evasively. 

Chester  was  not  specially  interested  or  ex 
cited.  He  finished  his  breakfast  in  a  leisurely 
manner,  and  then  taking  his  hat,  went  out  with 
Abel.  It  occurred  to  him  that  Mr.  Tripp 
might  be  intending  to  discharge  Abel,  and 
wished  to  see  if  he  would  return  to  his  old 
place. 

"  So  you  don't  know  what  he  wants  to  see 
me  about  ? "  he  asked. 

"Well,  I  have  an  idea,"  answered  Abel,  in  2 
mysterious  tone. 

"What  is  it,  then?" 

"Oh,  Idassn'ttell." 

"  Look  here,  Abel,  I  won't  stir  a  step  till  you 
do  tell  me.  You  are  acting  very  strangely." 

"  Well,  somethhV  terrible  has  happened," 
Abel  ejaculated,  in  excited  tones. 


" 


Chester  Rand.  53 

What's  it?" 

The  store  was  robbed  last  night." 

"  The  store  was  robbed  ?"  repeated  Chester. 
"What  was  taken?" 

"  Oh,  lots  and  lots  of  money  was  taken  from 
the  drawer,  and  the  window  in  the  back  of  the 
store  was  left  open." 

"  I'm  sorry  to  hear  it.  I  didn't  know  there 
was  anybody  in  Wyncombe  that  would  do  such 
things.  Does  Mr.  Tripp  suspect  anybody  ?  " 

"  Fes,  he  does.'5 

"Who  is  it?" 

"  He  thinks  you  done  it." 

Chester  stopped  abruptly  and  looked  amazed. 

"Why,  the  man  must  be  crazy  !  What  on 
earth  makes  him  think  I  would  stoop  to  do 
such  a  thing  ?  " 

"  'Cause  your  handkerchief  was  found  on  a 
flour  barrel  'side  of  the  money  drawer." 

'  i  My  handkerchief  !  Who  says  it  was  my 
handkerchief  ?  " 

"  Your  name  was  on  it  —  in  one  corner  ;  I 
seed  it  myself." 

Then  a  light  dawned  upon  Chester.  The 
tramp  whom  he  and  his  mother  had  entertained 
the  evening  before,  must  have  picked  up  his 
handkerchief,  and  left  it  in  the  store  to  divert 
suspicion  from  himself.  The  detective  instinct 
was  born  within  Chester,  and  now  he  felt  im 
patient  to  have  the  investigation  proceed. 


5-J-  Chester  Rand. 

"  Come  on,  Abel,"  he  said,  "I  want  to  see 
about  this  matter." 

"Well,  you  needn't  walk  so  plaguy  fast, 
wouldn't  if  I  was  you." 

"Why  not?" 

"  'Cause  you'll  probably  have  to  go  to  jail. 
I'll  tell  you  what  I'd  do." 

' <  Well?" 

"  I'd  hook  it." 

"  You  mean  run  away  ? " 

"Yes." 

' i  That's  the  last  thing  I'd  do.  Mr.  Tripp 
would  have  a  right  to  think  I  was  guilty  in 
that  case." 

"Well,  ain't  you?" 

"  Abel  Wood,  I  have  a  great  mind  to  give 
you  a  licking.  Don't  you  know  me  any  better 
than  that  ? " 

"Then  why  did  you  leave 'the  handkerchief 
on  the  flour  barrel  ?" 

"  That'll  come  out  in  due  time." 

They  were  near  the  store  where  Mr.  Tripp 
was  impatiently  waiting  for  their  appearance. 
He  did  not  anticipate  Abel's  staying  to  break 
fast,  and  his  suspicions  were  excited. 

"  I'll  bet  Chester  Band  has  left  town  with 
the  money,"  he  groaned.  "Oh,  it's  awful  to 
have  your  hard  earnin's  carried  off  so  sudden. 
I'll  send  Chester  to  jail  unless  he  returns  it— 
every  cent  of  it." 


Chester  Rand.  55 

Here  Abel  entered  the  store,  followed  by 
Chester, 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

A  SCENE  IN  THE  GROCERY  STORE. 

"  So  you've  come,  have  you,  you  young 
thief?"  said  Silas,  sternly,  as  Chester  entered 
the  store.  "  Ain't  you  ashamed  of  yourself  ? " 

"  No,  I'm  not,"  Chester  answered,  boldly. 
"Fve  done  nothing  to  be  ashamed  of." 

"  Oh,  you  hardened  young  villain.  Give  me 
*he  money  right  off,  or  I'll  send  you  to  jail." 

"  I  hear  from  Abel  that  the  store  was  robbed 
last  night,  and  I  suppose  from  what  you  say 
that  you  suspect  me." 

"  So  I  do." 

"  Then  you  are  mistaken.  I  spent  all  last 
night  at  home  as  my  mother  can  testify." 

"  Then  how  came  your  handkerchief  here  ? " 
demanded  Silas,  triumphantly,  holding  up  the 
article. 

"  It  must  have  been  brought  here." 

"  Oho,  you  adruit  that,  do  you  ?  I  didn't 
know  but  you'd  say  it  came  here  itself." 

"  No,  I  don't  think  it  did." 

"  I  thought  you'4  own  up  arter  a  while." 

"  I  own  up  to  nothing." 

"  Isn't  the  handkerchief  yours  ? " 

"  Yes." 

"  Thep  f'w  tiay  here  while  Abel  goes  for  the 


56  Chester  Rand. 

constable.  You've  got  to  be  punished  for  such 
dom's.  But  I'll  give  ye  one  chance.  Give  me 
back  the  money  you  took — thirty-seven  dollars 
and  sixty  cents — and  I'll  forgive  ye,  and  won't 
have  you  sent  to  jail." 

' '  That  is  a  very  kind  offer,  Mr.  Tripp,  and  if 
I  had  taken  the  money  I  would  accept  it,  and 
thank  you.  But  I  didn't  take  it." 

"  Go  for  the  constable,  Abel,  and  mind  you 
hurry.  You  just  stay  where  you  are,  Chester 
Band.  Don't  you  go  for  to  run  away." 

Chester  smiled.  He  felt  that  he  had  the  key 
to  the  mystery,  but  he  chose  to  defer  throwing 
light  upon  it. 

"  On  the  way,  Abel,"  said  Chester,  "  please 
call  at  our  house  and  ask  my  mother  to  come 
to  the  store. " 

"All  right,  Chester." 

The  constable  was  the  first  to  arrive. 

"What's  wanted,  Silas?"  he  asked,  for  in 
country  villages  neighbors  are  very  apt  to  call 
one  another  by  their  Christian  names. 

1 '  There's  been  robbery  and  burglary,  Mr. 
Boody,"  responded  Mr.  Tripp.  "  My  store  was 
robbed  last  night  of  thirty-seven  dollars  and 
sixty  cents." 

"  Sho,  Silas,  how  you  talk  !  " 

"  It's  true,  and  there  stands  the  thief  !  " 

"  I  am  sitting,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  Chester  smil- 
ing. 


Chester  Rand.  57 

"  See  how  he  brazens  it  out !  What  a  harcl 
ened  young  villain  he  is  !  " 

"  Come,  Silas,  you  must  be  crazy,"  expos 
tulated  jhe  constable,  who  felt  very  friendly  to 
Chester.  "  Chester  wouldn't  no  more  steal 
from  you  than  I  would." 

"  I  thought  so  myself,  but  when  I  found  his 
handkerchief,  marked  with  his  name,  on  a 
flour  barrel,  I  was  convinced." 

"Is  that  so,  Chester?" 

"  Yes,  the  handkerchief  is  mine." 

"  It  wasn't  here  last  night,"  proceeded  Silas, 
"  and  it  was  here  this  morning.  It  stands  to 
reason  that  it  couldn't  have  walked  here  itself, 
and  so  of  course  it  was  brought  here." 

By  this  time  two  other  villagers  entered  the 
store. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  that,  Chester?"  said 
the  constable,  beginning  to  be  shaken  in  his 
conviction  of  Chester's  innocence. 

"  I  agree  with  Mr.  Tripp.  It  must  have 
been  brought  here." 

At  this  moment,  Mrs.  Rand  and  the  minister 
whom  she  had  met  on  the  way,  entered  the  store. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  widder,"  said  Silas  Tripp, 
grimly.  "I  hope  you  ain't  a-goin'  to  stand  up 
for  your  son  in  his  didoes." 

"I  shall  certainly  stand  by  Chester,  Mr. 
Tripp.  What  is  the  trouble  2  " 

"Only  that  he  came  into  my  store  in  the 


58  Chester  Rand. 

silent  watches  of  last  night,"  answered  Silas, 
sarcastically,  "  and  made  off  with  thirty-seven 
dollars  and  sixty  cents." 

"  It's  a  falsehood,  whoever  says  it,"  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Rand,  hotly. 

"  I  supposed  you'd  stand  up  for  him,"  sneered 
Silas. 

"  And  for  a  very  good  reason.  During  the 
silent  watches  of  last  night,  as  you  express  it, 
Chester  was  at  home  and  in  bed  to  my  certain 
knowledge." 

"  While  his  handkerchief  walked  over  here 
and  robbed  the  store,"  suggested  Silas  Tripp, 
with  withering  sarcasm,  as  he  held  up  the 
telltale  evidence  of  Chester's  dishonesty. 

"  Was  this  handkerchief  found  in  the  store  ?* 
asked  Mrs.  Rand,  in  surprise. 

u  Yes,  ma'am,  it  was,  and  I  calculate  you'll 
find  it  hard  to  get  over  that  evidence." 

Mrs.  Rand's  face  lighted  up  with  a  sudden 
conviction. 

"  I  think  I  can  explain  it,"  she  said,  quietly. 

"  Oh,  you  can,  can  you  ?  Maybe  you  can 
tell  who  took  the  money." 

"I  think  I  can." 

All  eyes  were  turned  upon  her  in  eager  ex 
pectation. 

"  A  tramp  called  at  our  house  last  evening," 
she  said,  "  at  about  half -past  nine,  and  I  gave 
him  a  meal,  as  he  professed  to  be  hungry  and 


Chester  Rand.  59 

penniless.  It  was  some  minutes  after  ten  when 
he  left  the  house.  He  must  have  picked  up 
Chester's  handkerchief,  and  left  it  in  your  store 
after  robbing  the  money  drawer." 

"  That's  all  very  fine,"  said  Silas,  incredu 
lously,  "  but  I  don't  know  as  there  was  any 
tramp.  Nobody  saw  him  but  you." 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  the 
minister,  "  but  I  saw  him  about  half-past  ten 
walking  in  the  direction  of  your  store.  I  was 
returning  from  visiting  a  sick  parishioner  when 
I  met  a  man  roughly  dressed  and  of  middle 
height,  walking  up  the  street.  He  was  smok 
ing  a  pipe. " 

"He  lighted  it  before  leaving  our  house," 
said  Mrs.  Rand. 

"How  did  he  know  about  my  store?  "de 
manded  Silas,  incredulously. 

"  He  was  asking  questions  about  you  while 
he  was  eating  his  supper." 

Silas  Tripp  was  forced  to  confess,  though  re 
luctantly,  that  the  case  against  Chester  was 

falling  to  the  ground.  But  he  did  not  like  to 
give  up. 

"I'd  like  to  know  where  Chester  got  the 
money  he's  been  flauntin'  round  the  last 
week,"  he  said. 

"Probably  he  stole  it  from  your  store  last 
night,"  said  the  constable,  with  good-natured 
sarcasm  „ 


6o  Chester  Rand. 

u  That  ain't  answerin'  the  question." 

"  I  don't  propose  to  answer  the  question, " 
said  Chester,  firmly.  "  Where  I  got  my  money 
is  no  concern  of  Mr.  Tripp,  as  long  as  I  don't 
get  it  from  him." 

"  Have  I  got  to  lose  the  money?"  asked 
Silas,  in  a  tragical  *one.  "  It's  very  hard  on  a 
poor  man." 

All  present  smiled,  for  Silas  was  one  of  the 
richest  men  in  the  village. 

"  We  might  take  up  a  contribution  for  you, 
Silas,"  said  the  constable,  jocosely. 

"  Oh,  it's  all  very  well  for  you  to  joke  about 
it,  considerin'  you  didn't  lose  it." 

At  this  moment  Abel  Wood,  who  had  been 
sweeping  the  piazza,  entered  the  store  in  ex 
citement. 

" 1  say,  there's  the  tramp  now,"  he  exclaimed. 

61  Where  ?     Where  ?  "  asked  one  and  another. 

u  Out  in  the  street.  Constable  Perkins  has 
got  him." 

"Call  him  in,"  said  the  minister. 

A  moment  later,  Constable  Perkins  came  in, 
escorting  the  tramp,  who  was  evidently  under 
the  influence  of  strong  potations,  and  had  dif 
ficulty  in  holding  himself  up. 

"  Where  am  I  ?"  hiccoughed  Ramsay. 

"Where  did  you  find  him,  Mr.  Perkins?' 
asked  Rev.  Mr.  Morris. 

"  Just  outside  of  Farmer  Dexter's  barn.    He 


Chester  Rand.  61 

was  lying  on  the  ground,  with  a  jug  of  whisky 
at  his  side." 

"  It  was  my  jug,"  said  Silas.  "  He  must  have 
taken  it  from  the  store.  I  didn't  miss  it  before. 
He  must  have  took  it  away  with  him." 

"  There  warn't  much  whisky  left  in  the  jug. 
He  must  have  absorbed  most  of  it." 

Now  Mr.  Tripp's  indignation  was  turned 
against  this  new  individual. 

' '  Where  is  my  money,  you  villain  ? "  he 
demanded,  hotly. 

"  Whaz-zer  matter  ?"  hiccoughed  Eamsay. 

"You  came  into  my  store  last  night  and 
stole  some  money." 

11  Is  zis  zer  store?  It  was  jolly  fun,"  and 
the  inebriate  laughed. 

u  Yes,  it  is.    Where  is  the  money  you  took  ? " 

"Spent  it  for  whisky." 

"  No,  you  didn't.  You  found  the  whisky 
here." 

Ramsay  made  no  reply. 

"  He  must  have  the  money  about  him,"  sug 
gested  the  minister.  "  You'd  better  search 
his  pockets,  Mr.  Perkins." 

The  constable  thrust  his  hand  into  the  pocket 
of  his  helpless  charge,  and  drew  out  a  roll  of 
bills. 

Silas  Tripp  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy. 

"  Give  it  to  me,"  he  said.     "  It's  my  money." 

The  bills  were  counted  and  all  were  there. 


02  Chester  Rand. 

Not  one  was  missing.  Part  of  the  silver  could 
not  be  found.  It  had  probably  slipped  from  his 
pocket,  for  he  had  no  opportunity  of  spending 
any. 

Mr.  Tripp  was  so  pleased  to  recover  his  bills 
that  he  neglected  to  complain  of  the  silver  coins 
that  were  missing.  But  still  he  felt  incensed 
against  the  thief. 

"  You'll  suffer  for  this,"  he  said,  sternly, 
eying  the  tramp  over  his  glasses. 

"  Who  says  I  will?" 

"  I  say  so.     You'll  have  to  go  to  jail." 

"I'm  a  'spectable  man,"  hiccoughed  the 
tramp.  "I'm  an  honest  man.  I  ain't  done 
nothin'." 

"  Why  did  you  take  my  handkerchief  last 
night  ? "  asked  Chester. 

The  tramp  laughed. 

"  Good  joke,  wasn't  it  ?  So  they'd  think  it 
was  you." 

"It  came  near  being  a  bad  joke  for  me. 
Do  you  think  I  robbed  your  store  now,  Mr. 
Tripp  ? " 

To  this  question  Silas  Tripp  did  not  find  it 
convenient  to  make  an  answer.  He  was  one 
of  those  men — very  numerous  they  are,  too — 
who  dislike  to  own  themselves  mistaken. 

"It  seems  to  me,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  the 
minister,  "that  you  owe  an  apology  to  our 
young  friend  here  for  your  false  suspicions." 


Chester  Rand  63 

"  Anybody 'd  suspect  him  when  they  found 
his  handkerchief/'  growled  Silas. 

"  But  now  you  know  he  was  not  concerned 
m  the  rcbbery  you  should  make  reparation." 

" 1  don't  know  where  he  got  his  money/* 
said  Silas.  "  There's  suthin'  very  mysterious 
about  that  five-dollar  bill." 

«<IVe  got  another,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  Chester3 
smiling. 

"  Like  as  not.    Where'd  you  get  it  ? " 

"  I  don't  feel  obliged  to  tell." 
'  It  looks  bad,  that's  all  I've  got  to  say  JJ 
said  the  storekeeper. 

"I  think,  Mr.  Tripp,  you  need  not  borrow 
any  trouble  on  that  score,"  interposed  the 
minister.  "I  know  where  Chester's  money 
comes  from,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  it  is 
honestly  earned,  more  so  than  that  which  you 
receive  from  the  whisky  you  sell." 

Silas  Tripp  was  a  little  afraid  of  the  minister, 
who  was  very  plain-spoken,  and  turned  away 
muttering. 

The  crowd  dispersed,  some  following  consta 
ble  Perkins,  who  took  his  prisoner  to  the  lockup. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

NEW  PLANS  FOR  CHESTER. 

Two  days  later  Chester  found  another  letter 
from  Mr.  Conrad  at  the  post  office.  In  it  were 
two  bills— a  ten  and  a  3ve, 


64  Chester  Rand. 

Mr.  Conrad  wrote : 

"  I  have  disposed  of  your  two  sketches  to  ths  same  p^per. 
The  publisher  offered  me  fifteen  dollars  for  the  two,  and  I 
thought  it  best  to  accept.  Have  you  ever  thought  of  coming 
to  New  York  to  live  ?  You  would  be  more  favorably  placed 
for  disposing  of  your  sketches,  and  would  find  more  subjects 
in  a  large  city  than  in  a  small  village.  The  fear  is  that,  if  you 
continue  to  live  in  Wyncombe,  you  will  exhaust  your  invention. 

"  There  is  one  objection,  the  precarious  nature  of  the  busi 
ness.  You  might  sometimes  go  a  month,  perhaps,  without 
selling  a  sketch,  and  meanwhile  your  expenses  would  go  on. 
I  think,  however,  that  I  have  found  a  way  of  obviating  this 
objection.  I  have  a  friend — Mr.  Bushnell — who  is  in  the  real 
estate  business,  and  he  will  take  you  into  his  office  on  my  rec 
ommendation.  He  will  pay  you  five  dollars  a  week  if  he  finds 
you  satisfactory.  This  will  afford  you  a  steady  income,  which 
you  can  supplement  by  your  art  work.*  If  you  decide  to  accept 
my  suggestion  come  to  New  York  next  Saturday,  and  you  can 
stay  with  me  over  Sunday,  and  goto  work  on  Monday  morning. 
"  Your  sincere  friend, 

"HERBERT  CONRAD." 

Chester  read  this  letter  in  a  tumult  of  excite 
ment.  The  great  city  had  always  had  a  fasci 
nation  for  him,  and  he  had  hoped,  without 
much  expectation  of  the  hope  being  realized, 
that  he  might  one  day  find  employment  there. 
Now  the  opportunity  had  come,  but  could  he 
accept  it  ?  The  question  arose,  How  would  his 
mother  get  along  in  his  absence  ?  She  would 
be  almost  entirely  without  income.  Could  he 
send  her  enough  from  the  city  to  help  her  along  ? 

He  went  to  his  mother  and  showed  her  the 
letter. 

"Fifteen  dollars!  she  exclaimed.  "Why, 
that  is  fine,  Chester.  I  shall  begin  to  be  proud 
of  you.  Indeed,  I  am  proud  of  you  now." 

"lean  hardly  realize  it  myself,  mother.  I 
won't  get  too  much  elated,  for  it  may  not  last. 


Chester  Rand.  65 

What  do  yon  think  of  Mr.  Conrad's  proposal  ? " 

"To  go  to  New  York  ? " 

"Yes." 

Mrs.  Band's  countenance  fell. 

"  I  don't  see  how  I  can  spare  you,  Chester, " 
she  said,  soberly. 

"  If  there  were  any  chance  of  making  a  liv 
ing  in  W3rncombe,  it  would  be  different." 

"  You  might  go  back  to  Mr.  Tripp's  store." 

"  After  he  had  charged  me  with  stealing  ? 
No,  mother,  I  will  never  serve  Silas  Tripf 
again." 

"  There  might  be  some  other  chance. 

"But  there  isn't,  mother.  By  the  way,  1 
heard  at  the  post  office  that  the  shoe  manu* 
factory  will  open  again  in  three  weeks." 

"  That's  good  news.  I  shall  have  some  more 
binding  to  do." 

"And  I  can  send  you  something  every  week 
from  New  York." 

"But  I  will  be  so  lonely,  Chester,  with  no 
one  else  in  the  house. 

"That  is  true,  mother." 

"But  I  won't  let  that  stand  in  the  way. 
You  may  have  prospects  in  New  York.  You 
have  none  here." 

"And,  as  Mr.  Conrad  says,  I  am  likely  to 
run  out  of  subjects  for  sketches." 

"I  think  I  shall  have  to  give  my  consent, 
then." 


66  Chester  Rand. 

"Thank  you,  mother,"  said  Chester,  joy 
fully.  "I  will  do  what  I  can  to  pay  you  for 
the  sacrifice  you  are  making." 

Just  then  the  doorbell  rang. 

4"  It  is  Mr.  Gardener,  the  lawyer,"  said 
Chester,  looking  from  the  window. 

A  moment  later  he  admitted  the  lawyer. 

"  Well,  Chester,"  said  Mr.  Gardener,  pleas 
antly,  "  have  you  disposed  of  your  lots  in 
Tacoma  yet  ? " 

"  No,  Mr.  Gardener.  In  fact,  I  had  almost 
forgotten  about  them." 

44  Sometime  they  may  prove  valuable." 

"  I  wish  it  might  be  soon." 

<k  I  fancy  you  will  have  to  wait  a  few  years. 
By  the  time  you  are  twenty-one  you  may  come 
into  a  competence. 

"  I  won't  think  of  it  till  then." 

"  That's  right.  Work  as  if  you  had  nothing 
to  look  forward  to." 

**  You  don't  want  to  take  me  into  your  office 
and  make  a  lawyer  of  me,  Mr.  Gardener,  do 
you  ? " 

"  Law  in  Wyncombe  does  not  offer  any 
inducements.  If  I  depended  on  my  law  busi 
ness,  I  should  fare  poorly,  but  thanks  to  a 
frugal  and  industrious  father,  I  have  a  fair 
income  outside  of  my  earnings.  Mrs.  Rand, 
my  visit  this  morning  is  to  you.  How  would 
you  like  to  take  a  boarder  ? " 


Chester   Rand.  <*7 

Chester  and  his  mother  looked  surprised. 

"  Who  is  it,  Mr.  Gardener?" 

"I  have  a  cousin,  a  lady  of  forty,  who  thinks 
of  settling  down  in  Wyncombe.  She  thinks 
country  air  will  be  more  favorable  to  her  health 
than  the  city." 

4 1  Probably  she  is  used  to  better  accommoda 
tions  than  she  would  find  here." 

"My  cousin  will  be  satisfied  with  a  modest 
home." 

"We  have  but  two  chambers,  mine  and 
Chester's. 

"  But  you  know,  mother,  I  am  going  to  New 
York  to  work." 

"  That's  true  ;  your  room  will  be  vacant." 

Mr.  Gardener  looked  surprised. 

"  Isn't  this  something  new,"  he  asked,  "about 
/ou  going  to  New  York,  I  mean  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  that  letter  from  Mr.  Conrad  will 
explain  all." 

Mr.  Gardener  read  the  letter  attentively. 

"I  think  the  plan  a  good  one,"  he  said. 
"You  will  find  that  you  will  work  better  in  a 
great  city.  Then,  if  my  cousin  comes,  your 
mother  will  not  be  so  lonesome." 

"It  is  the  very  thing,"  said  Chester,  enthusi 
astically. 

"  What  is  your  cousin's  *iame,  Mr.  Gar 
dener  ? "  asked  the  widow. 

"  Miss  Jane  Dolby.     She  is  a  spinster,  and  at 


68  Chester  Rand, 

her  age  there  is  not  much  chance  of  her  chang, 
ing  her  condition.  Shall  I  write  her  that  you 
will  receive  her  ?  " 

"Yes ;  I  shall  be  glad  to  do  so." 

"And,  as  Miss  Dolby  is  a  business  woman, 
she  will  expect  me  to  tell  her  your  terms. " 

"  Will  four  dollars  a  week  be  too  much  ? " 
asked  Mrs.  Rand,  in  a  tone  of  hesitation." 

"  Four  dollars,  my  dear  madam  !  " 

"  Do  you  consider  it  too  much  ?  I  am  afraid 
I  could  not  afford  to  say  less. " 

"I  consider  it  too  little.  My  cousin  is  a 
woman  of  means.  I  will  tell  her  your  terms 
are  eight  dollars  a  week  including  washing." 

"But  will-she  be  willing  to  pay  so  much  ? " 

"  She  pays  twelve  dollars  a  week  in  the  city, 
and  could  afford  to  pay  more.  She  is  not  mean, 
but  is  always  willing  to  pay  a  good  price." 

"  I  can  manage  very  comfortably  on  that 
sum,"  said  Mrs.  Rand,  brightening  up.  "I 
hope  I  shall  be  able  to  make  your  cousin  com 
fortable." 

"  I  am  sure  of  it.  Miss  Dolby  is  a  very  socia 
ble  lady,  and  if  you  are  willing  to  hear  her  talk 
she  will  be  content." 

"She  will  keep  me  from  feeling  lonesome." 

When  Mr.  Gardener  left  the  house,  Chester 
said  :  "  All  things  seem  to  be  working  in  aid  of 
my  plans,  mother,  I  feel  much  more  comforta 
ble  now  that  you  will  have  company." 


Chester  Rand.  69 

"Besides,  Chester,  you  will  not  need  to  send 
me  any  money.  The  money  Miss  Dolby  pays 
me  will  be  sufficient  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
ti^e  table,  and  I  shall  still  have  some  time  for 
binding  shoes." 

"  Then  I  hope  I  may  be  able  to  save  some 
money." 

During  the  afternoon  Chester  went  ^  the 
store  to  buy  groceries.  Mr.  Tripp  himself  filled 
the  order.  He  seemed  disposed  to  be  friendly. 

"Your  money  holds  out  well,  Chester," 
he  said,  as  he  made  change  for  a  two-dollar 
bill. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Tripp." 

"I  can't  understand  it,  for  my  part.  Your 
mother  must  be  a  good  manager. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Tripp,  she  is." 

"You'd  orter  come  back  to  work  for  me, 
Chester." 

"  But  you  have  got  a  boy  already." 

"The  Wood  boy  ain't  worth  shucks.  He 
ain't  got  no  push,  and  he's  allus  forget  tin'  his 
errands.  If  you'll  come  next  Monday  I'll  pay 
you  two  dollars  and  a  half  a  week.  That's 
pooty  good  for  these  times." 

"I'm  sorry  to  disappoint  you,  Mr.  Tripp,  but 
I  am  going  to  work  somewhere  else." 

"Where  ?"  asked  Silas,  in  great  surprise. 

"  In  New  York,"  answered  Chester,  proudly, 

"  You  don't  say !    How'd  you  get  it  ? " 


70  Chester  Rand. 

"  Mr.  Conrad,  an  artist,  a  friend  of  ttu?  min 
ister,  got  it  for  me." 

"  Is  your  mother  willin'  to  have  you  go  ? " 

"  She  will  miss  me,  but  she  thinks  it  will  be 
for  my  advantage." 

"  How's  she  goin'  to  live  ?  It  will  take  all 
you  can  earn  to  pay  your  own  way  in  a  big 
city.  In  fact,  I  don't  believe  you  can  do  it  " 

:>  I'll  try,  Mr.  Tripp." 

Chester  did  not  care  to  mention  the  new 
boarder  that  was  expected,  as  he  thought  it 
probable  that  Mr.  Tripp,  who  always  looked 
out  for  his  own  interests,  would  try  to  induce 
Miss  Dolby  to  board  with  him.  As  Mr.  Tripp 
had  the  reputation  of  keeping  a  very  poor 
table,  he  had  never  succeeded  in  retaining  a 
boarder  over  four  weeks. 

Chester  found  that  his  clothing  needed  re 
plenishing,  and  ventured  to  spend  five  dollars 
for  small  articles,  such  as  handkerchiefs,  socks, 
etc.  Saturday  morning  he  walked  to  the  de 
pot  with  a  small  gripsack  in  his  hand  and 
bought  a  ticket  for  New  York. 

CHAPTER  X. 

A  RAILROAD  ACQUAINTANCE. 

The  distance  by  rail  from  Wyncombe  to 
New  York  is  fifty  miles.  When  about  eight 
years  of  age  Chester  had  made  the  journey, 
but  not  since  then.  Everything  was  new  to 


Chester  Rand.  Ji 

him,  and,  of  course,  interesting.  His  attention 
Cvas  drawn  from  the  scenery  by  the  passage  of 
a  train  boy  through  the  cars  with  a  bundle  of 
new  magazines  and  papers. 

'  '  Here  is  all  the  magazines,  Puck  and 
Judge." 

"How  much  do  you  charge  for  Puck?" 
asked  Chester,  with  interest,  for  it  was  Puck 
that  had  accepted  his  first  sketch. 

"  Ten  cents." 

"  Give  me  one." 

Chester  took  the  paper  and  handed  the  train 
boy  a  dime. 

Then  he  began  to  look  over  the  pages.  All 
at  once  he  gave  a  start,  his  face  flushed,  his 
heart  beat  with  excitement.  There  was  his 
sketch  looking  much  more  attractive  on  the 
fair  pages  of  the  periodical  than  it  had  done  in 
his  pencil  drawing.  He  kept  looking  at  it. 
It  seemed  to  dave  a  facinaticn  for  him.  It 
was  his  first  appearance  in  a  paper,  and  it 
was  a  proud  moment  for  him. 

"What  are  you  looking  at  so  intently,  my 
eon? "  asked  the  gentleman  who  sat  at  his  side. 
He  was  a  man  of  perhaps  middle  age,  and  he 
wore  spectacles,  which  gave  him  a  literary 
aspect. 

"I — I  am  looking  at  this  sketch,"  answered 
Chester,  in  slight  confusion. 

"  Let  me  see  it." 


72  Chester  Rand. 

his  seat  mate  with  some  anxiety.  He  wanted 
to  see  what  impression  this,  his  maiden  effort, 
would  have  on  a  staid  man  of  middle  age. 

"  Ha!  very  good!  "  said  his  companion,  "but 
I  don't  see  anything  very  remarkable  about  it. 
Yet  you  were  looking  at  it  for  as  much  as  five 
minutes." 

"  Because  it  is  mine,"  naid  Chester,  half 
proudly,  half  in  embarrassment. 

"  Ah  !  that  is  different.  Did  you  really  de 
sign  it  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  suppose  you  got  pay  for  it.  I  understand 
Puck  pays  for  everything  it  publishes." 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  I  got  ten  dollars." 

"  Ten  dollars  ! "  repeated  the  gentleman,  in 
surprise.  "  Really  that  is  very  handsome.  Do 
you  often  produce  such  sketches  ? " 

"I  have  just  begun,  sir.  That  is  the  first  I 
have  had  published." 

"You  are  beginning  young.  How  old  are 
you?" 

"  I  am  almost  sixteen." 

"That  is  young  for  an  artist.  Why,  1  am 
forty-five,  and  I  haven't  a  particle  of  talent  in 
that  direction.  My  youngest  son  asked  me  the 
other  day  to  draw  a  cow  on  the  slate.  I  did  as 
well  as  I  could,  and  what  do  you  think  he  said  ? " 

"What  did  he  say? "asked  Chester,  in- 
terested. 


Chester  Rand.  73 

"  He  said,  *  Papa,  if  it  wasn't  for  the  horns 
I  should  think  it  was  a  horse." 

Chester  laughed.  It  was  a  joke  he  could 
appreciate. 

"I  suppose  all  cannot  draw,"  he  said. 

"  It  seems  not.  May  I  ask  you  if  you  live  in 
New  York  —  the  city,  I  mean  ?  " 


sir." 


u  But  you  are  going  there  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"To  live?" 

"  I  hope  so.  A  friend  has  written  advising 
rne  to  come.  He  says  I  will  be  better  placed  to 
do  art  work,  and  dispose  of  my  sketches." 

"  Are  you  expecting  to  earn  your  living  that 
way  ?  " 

"  I  hope  to  some  time,  but  not  at  first." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  I  should  think  you 
would  find  it  very  precarious." 

"I  expect  to  work  in  a  real  estate  office  at 
five  dollars  a  week,  and  only  to  spend  my 
leisure  hours  in  art  work." 

"  That  seems  sensible.  Have  you  been  living 
in  the  country  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  in  Wyncombe." 

"  I  have  heard  of  the  place,  but  was  never 
there.  So  you  are  just  beginning  the  battle  of 
life?" 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  It  has  just  occurred  to  me  that  I  may  be 


74  Chester   Rand. 

able  to  throw  some  work  in  your  way.  I  am 
writing  an  ethnological  work,  and  it  will  need 
to  he  illustrated.  I  can't  afford  to  pay  such 
pr tees  as  you  receive  from  Puck  and  other 
periodicals  of  the  same  class,  but  then  the  work 
will  not  be  original.  It  will  consist  chiefly  of 
copies.  I  should  think  I  might  need  a  hundred 
illustrations,  and  I  am  afraid  I  could  not  pay 
more  than  two  dollars  each." 

A  hundred  illustrations  at  two  dollars  each  J 
Why,  that  would  amount  to  two  hundred 
dollars,  and  there  would  be  no  racking  his 
brains  for  original  ideas. 

"If  you  think  I  can  do  the  work,  sir,  I  shall 
be  glad  to  undertake  it,"  said  Chester,  eagerly. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  you  can  do  it,  for  it  will 
not  require  an  expert.  Suppose  you  call  upon 
me  some  evening  within  a  week." 

"I  will  do  so  gladly,  sir,  if  you  will  tell  me 
where  you  live." 

"Here  is  my  card,"  said  his  companion, 
drawing  out  his  case,  and  handing  a  card  to 
Chester. 

This  was  what  Chester  read: 

"  Prof.  Edgar  Hazlitt." 

"Do  you  know  where  Lexington  Avenue 
is  ? "  asked  the  professor. 

"  1  know  very  little  about  New  York.  In 
fact,  nothing  at  all,"  Chester  was  obliged  to 
confess. 


Chester  Rand.  75 

"You  will  soon  find  your  way  about.  I 
have  no  doubt  you  will  find  me,"  and  the  pro 
fessor  mentioned  the  number.  "  Shall  we  say 
next  Wednesday  evening,  at  eight  o'clock 
sharp  ?  That's  if  you  have  no  engagement  for 
that  evening,"  he  added,  with  a  smile. 

Chester  laughed  at  the  idea  of  his  having  any 
evening  engagements  in  a  city  which  he  had 
not  seen  for  eight  years. 

"  If  you  are  engaged  to  dine  with  William 
Vanderbilt  or  Jay  Gould  on  that  evening," 
continued  the  professor,  with  a  merry  look, 
"I  will  say  Thursday." 

"  If  I  find  I  am  engaged  in  either  place,  I 
think  I  can  get  off,"  said  Chester. 

"  Then  Wednesday  evening  let  it  be!  " 

As  the  train  neared  New  York  Chester  began 
to  be  solicitous  about  finding  Mr.  Conrad  in 
waiting  for  him.  He  knew  nothing  about  the 
city,  and  would  feel  quite  helpless  should  the 
artist  not  be  present  to  meet  him.  He  left  the 
car  and  walked  slowly  along  the  platform, 
looking  eagerly  on  all  sides  for  the  expected 
iriendly  face. 

But  nowhere  could  he  see  Herbert  Conrad. 

In  some  agitation  he  took  from  his  pocket 
the  card  containing  his  friend's  address,  and  he 
could  hardly  help  inwardly  reproaching  him 
for  leaving  an  inexperienced  boy  in  the  lurch. 
He  was  already  beginning  to  feel  homesick  and 


76  Chester  Rand. 

forlorns  when  a  bright-looking  lad  of  twelve, 
with  light-brown  hair,  came  up  and  asked  : 
'  <  Is  this  Chester  Rand?" 

"  Yes,"  answered  Chester,  in  surprise.  "  How 
do  you  know  my  name  ? " 

" 1  was  sent  here  by  Mr.  Conrad  to  meet 
you." 

Chester  brightened  up  at  once.  So  his  friend 
had  not  forgotten  him  after  all. 

"  Mr.  Conrad  couldn't  come  to  meet  you,  as 
he  had  an  important  engagement,  so  he  sent 
me  to  bring  you  to  his  room.  I  am  Rob 
Fisher." 

61 1  suppose  that  means  Robert  Fisher  ? " 

"Yes,  but  everybody  calls  me  Rob." 

"  Are  you  a  relation  of  Mr.  Conrad  ? " 

"  Yes,  I  am  his  cousin.  I  live  just  outside  of 
the  city,  but  I  am  visiting  my  cousin  for  the 
day.  I  suppose  you  don't  know  much  about 
New  York  ? " 

"  I  know  nothing  at  all." 

"  I  am  pretty  well  posted,  and  I  come  into 
the  city  pretty  often.  Just  follow  me.  Shall 
I  carry  your  valise  ? " 

44 Oh,  no;  I  am  older  than  you  and  better 
able  to  carry  it.  What  street  is  this  ? " 

"Forty-second  Street.  We  will  go  to  Fifth 
Avenue,  and  then  walk  down  to  Thirty-fourth 
Street." 

"That  is  where  Mr.  Conrad  lives,  isn't  it  2" 


Chester  Rand  77 

"Yes;  it  is  one  of  the  wide  streets,  like 
Fourteenth  and  Twenty-third,  and  this  street." 

"  There  are  some  fine  houses  here." 

"  I  should  think  so.  You  live  in  Wynccmbe, 
don't  you  ? " 

"  Yes  ;  the  houses  are  all  of  wood  there." 

"  I  suppose  so.  Mr.  Conrad  tells  me  you  are 
an  artist,"  said  Rob,  eying  his  new  friend  with 
curiosity. 

"In  a  small  way." 

"I  should  like  to  see  some  of  your  pictures.'5 

"1  can  show  you  one,"  and  Chester  opened 
his  copy  of  Puck  and  pointed  to  the  sketch 
already  referred  to. 

"  Did  you  really  draw  this  yourself  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  And  did  you  get  any  money  for  it  ? " 

"  Ten  dollars,"  answered  Chester,  with  natu- 
ial  pride. 

"  My  !  I  wish  I  could  get  money  for  drawing." 

"  Perhaps  you  can  some  time." 

Bob  shook  his  head. 

"  I  haven't  any  talent  that  way." 

"  What  house  is  that  ? "  asked  Chester,  point 
ing  to  the  marble  mansion  at  the  corner  of 
Thirty-fourth  Street. 

"That  used  to  belong  to  A.  T.  Stewart,  the 
great  merchant.  I  suppose  you  haven't  any 
houses  like  that  in  Wyncombe  2 " 

"Oh,  no." 


78  Chester   Rand. 

"We  will  turn  down  here.  This  is  Thirty- 
fourth  Street." 

They  kept  on,  crossing  Sixth  and  Seventh 
Avenues,  and  presently  stood  in  front  of  a 
neat,  brownstone  house  between  Seventh  and 
Eighth  Avenues. 

"  That  is  where  Mr.  Conrad  lives,"  said  Rob. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
CHESTER'S  FIRST  EXPERIENCES  IN  NEW  YORK. 

THE  bell  was  rung,  and  a  servant  opened  the 
door. 

"I  will  go  up  to  Mr.  Conrad's  room,"  said 
Rob. 

The  servant  knew  him,  and  no  objection  was 
made.  They  went  up  two  flights  to  the  front 
room  on  the  third  floor.  Rob  opened  the  door 
without  ceremony  and  entered,  followed  by 
Chester. 

He  found  himself  in  a  spacious  room,  neatly 
furnished  and  hung  around  with  engravings, 
with  here  and  there  an  oil  painting.  There 
was  a  table  near  the  window  with  a  portfolio 
on  it.  Here,  no  doubt,  Mr.  Conrad  did  some  of 
his  work.  There  was  no  bed  in  the  room,  but 
through  an  open  door  Chester  saw  a  connecting 
bedroom. 

"This  is  a  nice  room,"  he  said. 

"Yes,  cousin  Herbert  likes  to  be  comfort- 


Chester  Rand.  79 

able.  Here,  give  me  your  valise,  and  make 
yourself  at  home." 

Chester  sat  down  by  the  window  and  gazed 
out  on  the  broad  street.  It  was  a  pleasant, 
sunny  day,  and  everything  looked  bright  and 
attractive. 

4 '  You  are  going  to  live  in  New  York,  aren't 
you  ?  "  asked  Rob. 

"  Yes,  if  I  can  make  a  living  here." 

"I  guess  cousin  Herbert  will  help  you." 

'  *  He  has  already.  He  has  obtained  a  place 
for  me  in  a  real  estate  office  at  five  dollars  a 
week." 

' '  I  think  I  could  live  on  five  dollars  a  week." 

"  I  suppose  it  costs  considerable  to  live  in 
New  York." 

Chester  felt  no  apprehension,  however.  He 
was  sure  he  should  succeed,  and,  indeed,  he 
had  reason  to  feel  encouraged,  for  had  he  not 
already  engaged  two  hundred  dollars'  worth  of 
work  ? — and  this  sum  seemed  as  much  to  him 
as  two  thousand  would  have  done  to  Mr. 
Conrad. 

An  hour  glided  by  rapidly,  and  then  a  step 
was  heard  on  the  stairs. 

"  That's  cousin  Herbert,"  said  Rob,  and  he 
ran  to  open  the  door. 

"  Hello,  Rob.    Did  you  find  Chester  ?  " 

"Yes,  here  he  is!" 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Chester,"  said  the  artist. 


8o  Chester  Rand. 

shaking  his  hand  cordially  ;  "you  must  excuse 
ray  not  going  to  meet  you,  but  I  was  busily 
engaged  on  a  large  drawing  for  Harper's 
Weekly,  and,  feeling  in  a  favorable  mood,  I 
didn't  want  to  lose  the  benefit  of  my  inspira 
tion.  You  will  find  when  you  have  more  expe 
rience  that  an  artist  can  accomplish  three  times 
as  much  when  in  the  mood. 

"  I  am  glad  you  didn't  leave  off  for  me.  Eob 
has  taken  good  care  of  me." 

"Yes,  Rob  is  used  to  the  city;  I  thought 
you  would  be  in  safe  hands.  And  how  do  you 
like  my  quarters  ? " 

"They  are  very  pleasant.  And  the  street  is 
so  wide,  too." 

"Yes,  I  like  Thirty-fourth  street.  I  lodge, 
but  I  don't  board  here. 

Chester  was  surprised  to  hear  this.  In 
Wyncombe  everyone  took  his  meals  in  the 
same  house  in  which  he  lodged. 

"And  that  reminds  me,  don't  you  feel  hun 
gry?  I  don't  ask  Rob,  for  he  always  has  an 
appetite.  How  is  it  with  you,  Chester  ? '' 

"  I  took  a  very  early  breakfast." 

"So  I  thought,"  laughed  Conrad.  "Well, 
put  on  your  coats,  and  we'll  go  to  Trainer's." 

They  walked  over  to  Sixth  Avenue  and 
entered  a  restaurant  adjoining  the  Standard 
Theater.  It  was  handsomely  decorated,  and 
seemed  to  Chester  quite  the  finest  room  he 


Chester  Rand.  81 

was  ever  in.  Banged  in  three  rows  were  small 
tables,  each  designed  for  four  persons.  One 
of  these  was  vacant,  and  Conrad  took  a  seat  on 
one  side,  placing  the  two  boys  opposite. 

"  Now,"  he  said,  "  I  had  better  do  the  order 
ing.  We  will  each  order  a  different  dish,  and 
by  sharing  them  we  will  have  a  variety." 

There  is  no  need  to  mention  of  what  the  din 
ner  consisted.  All  three  enjoyed  it,  particularly 
the  two  boys.  It  was  the  first  meal  Chester 
had  taken  in  a  restaurant,  and  he  could  not  get 
rid  of  a  feeling  of  embarrassment  at  the 
thought  that  the  waiters,  who  were  better 
dressed  than  many  of  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Wyncombe,  were  watching  him.  He  did  not, 
however,  allow  this  feeling  to  interfere  with 
his  appetite. 

"  Do  you  always  eat  here,  Mr.  Conrad?" 
asked  Chester. 

"  No;  sometimes  it  is  more  convenient  to  go 
elsewhere.  Now  and  then  I  take  a  table  d'hote 
dinner." 

"  I  don't  think  I  can  afford  to  come  here 
often,"  Chester  remarked,  after  consulting  the 
bill  of  fare  and  the  prices  set  down  opposite  the 
different  dishes. 

"No;  it  will  be  better  for  you  to  secure  a 
boarding  place.  You  want  to  be  economical 
for  the  present.  How  did  you  leave  your 
mother  2 " 


82  Chester  Rand. 

"Very  well,  thank  you,  Mr.  Conrad.  We 
have  been  very  fortunate  in  securing  a  boarder 
who  pays  eight  dollars  a  week,  so  that  mother 
thinks  she  can  get  along  for  the  present  with 
out  help  from  me." 

"  That  is  famous.  Where  did  you  get  such 
a  boarder  in  Wyncombe  ?  " 

66  It  is  a  lady,  the  cousin  of  Mr.  Gardener,  the 
lawyer.  She  will  be  company  for  mother." 

"It  is  an  excellent  arrangement.  Now, 
boys,  if  you  have  finished,  I  will  go  up  and  set 
tle  the  bill." 

As  they  left  the  restaurant,  Mr.  Conrad, 
said  : 

"  In  honor  of  your  arrival,  I  shall  not  work 
any  more  to-day.  Now,  shall  we  go  back  to  my 
room,  or  would  you  like  to  take  a  walk  and  see 
something  of  the  city  ? " 

The  unanimous  decision  was  for  the  stroll. 

Mr.  Conrad  walked  down  Broadway  with  the 
boys,  pointing  out  any  notable  buildings  on  the 
way.  Chester  was  dazzled.  The  great  city 
exceeded  his  anticipations.  Everything  seemed 
on  so  grand  a  scale  to  the  country  boy,  and 
with  his  joyous  excitement  there  mingled  the 
thought  :  "  And  I,  too,  am  going  to  live  here. 
I  shall  have  a  share  in  the  great  city,  and  min 
gle  in  its  scenes  every  day." 

Rob  was  used  to  the  city,  and  took  matters 
quietly.  He  was  not  particularly  impressed 


Chester  Rand.  83 

Yet  he  could  not  help  enjoying  the  walk,  so 
perfect  was  the  weather.  As  they  passed  Lord 
&  Taylor's,  a  lady  came  out  of  the  store. 

"  Why,  mother,"  said  Rob,  "is  that  you?" 

"Yes,  Eob.  I  came  in  on  a  shopping  ex 
cursion,  and  I  waafc  you  to  go  with  me  and 
take  care  of  me." 

Rob  grumbled  a  little,  but,  of  course,  ac 
ceded  to  his  mother's  request.  So  Chester  was 
left  alone  with  Mr.  Conrad. 

"How  do  you  feel  about  coming  to  New 
York,  Chester?"  asked  his  friend.  "You  are 
Qot  afraid  of  failure,  are  you  ? " 

"  No,  Mr.  Conrad,  I  feel  very  hopeful. 
Something  has  happened  to  me  to-day  that 
encourages  me  very  much." 

"What  is  it?" 

Chester  told  the  story  of  his  meeting  with 
Prof.  Hazlitt,  and  the  proposition  which  had 
been  made  ta  him. 

"Why,  this  is  famous,"  exclaimed  Conrad, 
looking  pleased.  "I  know  of  Prof.  Hazlitt, 
though  I  never  met  him.  He  was  once  pro 
fessor  in  a  Western  college,  but  inheriting  a 
fortune  from  his  uncle,  came  to  New  York  to 
pursue  his  favorite  studies.  He  does  not  teach 
now,  but,  I  believe,  delivers  an  annual  course 
of  lectures  before  the  students  of  Columbia 
College.  He  is  a  shrewd  man,  and  the  offer  of 
employment  from  him  is  indeed  a  compliment. 


&4  Chester  Rand. 

I  am  very  glad  you  met  him.  He  may  throw 
other  work  in  your  way." 

"I  hope  I  can  give  him  satisfaction,"  said 
Chester.  "  It  makes  me  feel  rich  whenever  I 
think  of  the  sum  I  am  to  receive.  Two  hun 
dred  dollars  is  a  good  deal  of  money." 

"  To  a  boy  like  you,  yes.  It  doesn't  go  very 
far  with  me  now.  It  costs  a  good  deal  for  me 
to  live.  How  much  do  you  think  I  have  to  pay 
for  my  room — without  board  ? " 

"  Three  dollars  a  week,"  guessed  Chester. 

Mr.  Conrad  smiled. 

"  I  pay  ten  dollars  a  week,"  he  said. 

Chester's  breath  was  quite  taken  away. 

"  Why,  I  did  not  think  the  whole  house 
would  cost  as  much — for  rent." 

"  You  will  get  a  more  correct  idea  of  New 
York  expenses  after  a  while.  No-vr^  let  me 
come  back  to  your  plans.  You  had  better  stay 
with  me  for  a  few  days." 

"But  I  am  afraid  I  shall  be  putting  you  to 
inconvenience,  Mr.  Conrad." 

"  No  ;  it  will  be  pleasant  forme  to  have  your 
company.  On  Monday  morning  I  will  go  with 
you  to  the  office  of  the  real  estate  broker  who 
is  to  employ  you." 

Chester  passed  Sunday  pleasantly,  going  to 
church  in  the  forenoon,  and  taking  a  walk  with 
Mr.  Conrad  in  the  afternoon.  He  wrote  a  short 
letter  to  his  mother,  informing  her  of  his  safe 


Chester  Rand.  85 

arrival  in  the  city,  but  not  mentioning  his  en 
gagement  by  Prof.  Hazlitt.  He  preferred  to 
wait  till  he  had  an  interview  with  the  profes 
sor,  and  decided  whether  he  could  do  the  work 
satisfactorily. 

"Your  future  employer  is  Clement  Fair- 
child,"  said  the  artist.  "  His  office  is  on  West 
Fourteenth  Street,  between  Seventh  and  Eight 
Avenues." 

66  What  sort  of  a  man  is  he  ? "  asked  Chester. 

"I  don't  know  him  very  well,  but  I  believe 
he  does  a  very  good  business.  You  will  know 
more  about  him  in  a  week  than  I  can  tell  you. 
There  is  one  comfort,  and  that  is  that  you  are 
not  wholly  dependent  upon  him.  I  advise  you, 
however,  to  say  nothing  in  the  office  about 
your  art  work.  Business  men  sometimes  have 
a  prejudice  against  outside  workers.  They 
feel  that  an  employee  ought  to  be  solely  oc 
cupied  with  their  interests. " 

"I  will  remember  what  you  say,  Mr.  Conrad." 

Chester  looked  forward  with  considerable 
curiosity  and  some  anxiety  to  his  coming  in 
terview  with  Mr0  Fairchild. 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

A  REAL  ESTATE   OFFICE. 

ABOUT  eight  o'clock  on  Monday  morning 
Chester,  accompanied  by  his  friend  Conrad, 
turned  down  Fourteenth  Street  from  Sixth 


86  Chester  Rand. 

Avenue  and  kept  on  till  they  reached  an  office 
over  which  was  the  sign  : 

"Clement  Fairchild,  Eeal  Estate." 

"This  is  the  place,  Chester,"  said  the  artist. 
"  I  will  go  in  and  introduce  you." 

They  entered  the  office.  It  was  of  fair  size, 
and  contained  a  high  desk,  an  office  table 
covered  with  papers,  and  several  chairs.  There 
was  but  one  person  in  the  office,  a  young  man 
with  black  whiskers  and  mustache  and  an 
unamiable  expression.  He  sat  on  a  high  stool, 
but  he  was  only  reading  the  morning  paper. 
He  turned  lazily  as  he  heard  the  door  open,  and 
let  his  glance  rest  on  Mr.  Conrad. 

"  What  can  I  do  for  you  ? "  he  asked,  in  a 
careless  tone. 

"  Is  Mr.  Fairchild  in  ? "  asked  the  artist. 

"No." 

"  When  will  he  be  in  ?" 

i(  Can't  say,  I  am  sure.  If  you  have  any 
business,  1  will  attend  to  it." 

"  I  have  no  special  business,  except  to  intro 
duce  my  young  friend  here." 

"  Indeed ! "  said  the  clerk,  impudently. 
"  Who  is  he  ?  " 

"He  is  going  to  work  here,"  returned  Mr. 
Conrad,  sharply. 

"  What  ?  "  queried  the  bookkeeper,  evidently 
taken  by  surprise.  "  Who  says  he  is  going  tc 
work  here  ? " 


Chester   Rand.  87 

"  Mr.  Fairchild." 

"  He  didn't  say  anything  to  me  about  it." 

"Very  remarkable,  certainly,"  rejoined  Con 
rad.  "  I  presume  you  have  no  objection." 

"  Look  here,"  said  the  bookkeeper,"  "  I  think 
there  is  some  mistake  about  this.  The  place 
was  all  but  promised  to  my  cousin." 

' '  You'll  have  to  settle  that  matter  with  your 
employer.  Apparently  he  doesn't  tell  you 
everything,  Mr. " 

"My  name  is  Mullins — David  Mullins,"  said 
the  bookkeeper,  with  dignity. 

"  Then,  Mr.  Mullins,  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
introducing  to  you  Chester  Rand,  late  of  Wyn- 
combe,  now  of  New  York,  who  will  be  asso 
ciated  with  you  in  the  real  estate  business." 

"Perhaps  so,"  sneered  Mullins. 

"  He  will  stay  here  till  Mr.  Fairchild  makes 
his  appearance." 

"  Oh,  he  can  sit  down  if  he  wants  to." 

"  I  shall  have  to  leave  you,  Chester,  as  I 
must  get  to  work.  When  Mr.  Fairchild  comes 
in,  show  him  this  note  from  me." 

"All  right,  sir." 

Chester  was  rather  chilled  by  his  reception. 
He  saw  instinctively  that  his  relations  with 
Mr.  Mullins  were  not  likely  to  be  cordial,  and 
he  suspected  that  if  the  bookkeeper  could  get 
him  into  trouble  he  would. 

After  the  artist  had  left  the  office,  Mr.  David 


88  Chester  Rand. 

Mullins  leisurely  picked  his  teeth  with  his  pen 
knife,  and  fixed  a  scrutinizing  glance  on  Chester, 
of  whom  he  was  evidently  taking  the  measure. 

"  Do  you  knew  Mr.  Fairchild  ? "  he  at  length 
asked,  abruptly. 

"No,  sir."  * 

"It's  queer  he  should  have  engaged  you  as 
office  hoy." 

Chester  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  make 
any  reply  to  this  remark. 

"  How  much  salary  do  you  expect  to  get  ?" 

"  Five  dollars  a  week." 

"Who  told  you  so?" 

"  The  gentleman  who  came  in  with  me." 

"Who  is  he?" 

"  Mr.  Herbert  Conrad,  an  artist  and  draughts 
man." 

"  Never  heard  of  him." 

Mr.  Mullins  spoke  as  if  this  was  enough  to 
settle  the  status  of  Mr.  Conrad.  A  man  whom 
he  did  not  know  must  be  obscure. 

"  So,  Mr.  Fairchild  enpaged  you  through  Mr. 
Conrad,  did  he  t " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

;*  Do  you  know  anything  about  the  city  ?  " 

"  Not  much." 

"  Then  I  can't  imagine  why  Mr.  Fairchild 
should  have  hired  you.  You  can't  be  of  much 
use  here." 

Chester  began  to  feel  discouraged.  All  this 
was  certainly  very  depressing. 


Chester  Rand.  8$ 

"  I  shall  try  to  make  myself  useful, "  he  said. 

"Oh,  yes,"  sneered  Mr.  Mullins,  "new  boys 
always  say  that." 

There  was  a  railing  stretching  across  the 
office  about  midway,  dividing  it  into  two  parts. 
The  table  and  desk  were  inside.  The  remain 
ing  space  was  left  for  the  outside  public. 

A  poor  woman  entered  the  office,  her  face 
bearing  the  impress  of  sorrow. 

"Is  Mr.  Fairchild  in  ? "  she  asked. 

"No,  he  isn't." 

"  I've  come  in  about  the  month's  rent." 

"  Very  well !  You  can  pay  it  to  me.  What 
name  ? " 

"  Mrs.  Carlin,  sir." 

"Ha!  yes.  Your  rent  is  six  dollars.  Pass 
it  over,  and  I  will  give  you  a  receipt. " 

"But  I  came  to  say  that  I  had  only  three 
dollars  and  a  half  toward  it." 

"And  why  have  you  only  three  dollars  and 
a  half,  I'd  like  to  know  V  said  Mullins,  rudely. 

"  Because  my  Jimmy  has  been  sick  three 
days.  He's  a  telegraph  boy,  and  I'm  a  widow, 
wid  only  me  bye  to  help  me." 

"I  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  sickness  of 
your  son.  When  you  hired  your  rooms,  you 
agreed  to  pay  the  rent,  didn't  you  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  but— 

"  And  you  didn't  say  anything  about  Jimmy 
being  sick  or  well." 


90  Chester  Rand 

"  True  for  you,  sir  ;  but '' 

"  I  think,  Mrs.  Carlin,  you'll  have  to  get 
hold  of  the  other  two  dollars  and  a  half  seme 
how,  or  out  you'll  go.  See  ? " 

"Shure,  sir,  you  are  very  hard  with  a  poor 
widow,"  said  Mrs.  Carlin,  wiping  her  eyes  with 
the  corner  of  her  apron. 

" Business  is  business,  Mrs.  Carlin." 

"If  Mr.  Fairchild  were  in,  he'd  trate  me 
better  than  you.  Will  he  be  in  soon  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  he  will,  and  perhaps  he  won't. 
You  can  pay  the  money  to  me." 

"I  won't,  sir,  beggin'  your  pardon.  I'd 
rather  wait  and  see  him." 

"Very  well  !  you  can  take  the  consequences," 
and  Mr.  Mullins  eyed  the  widow  with  an  un 
pleasant  and  threatening  glance. 

She  looked  very  sad,  and  Chester  felt  that  he 
should  like  to  give  the  bookkeeper  a  good  shak 
ing.  He  could  not  help  despising  a  man  who 
appeared  to  enjoy  distressing  an  unfortunate 
woman  whose  only  crime  was  poverty. 

At  this  moment  the  office  door  opened,  and 
a  gentleman  of  perhaps  forty  entered.  He  was 
a  man  with  a  kindly  face,  and  looked  far  less 
important  than  the  bookkeeper.  Mr.  Mullins, 
on  seeing  him,  laid  aside  his  unpleasant  man 
ner,  and  said,  in  a  matter  of-f act  tone  : 

"This  is  Mrs.  Carlin.  She  owes  six  dollars 
rent,  and  only  brings  three  dollars  and  a  half." 


Chester  Rand.  QI 

*€  How  is  this,  Mrs.  Carlin  ? "  inquired  Mr. 
Fairchild,  for  this  was  he. 

Mrs  Carlin  repeated  her  story  of  Jimmy's 
illness  and  her  consequent  inability  to  pay  the 
whole  rent. 

"  When  do  you  think  Jimmy  will  get  well  ?  " 
asked  the  agent,  kindly. 

4 'He's  gettin'  better  fast,  sir.  I  think  he'll 
be  able  to  go  to  work  by  Wednesday.  If  you'll 
only  wait  a  little  while,  sir— 

44  How  long  have  you  been  paying  rent 
here  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Fairchild. 

"  This  is  the  third  year,  sir." 

"And  have  you  ever  been  in  arrears  be 
fore?" 

"No,  sir." 

"  Then  you  deserve  consideration.  Mr.  Mul- 
lins,  give  Mrs.  Carlin  a  receipt  on  account,  and 
she  will  pay  the  balance  as  soon  as  she  can." 

4 '  Thank  you,  sir.  May  the  saints  reward 
you,  sir  !  Shure,  I  told  this  gentleman  that 
you'd  make  it  all  right  with  me.  He  was  very 
hard  with  me." 

"Mr.  Mullins,"  said  the  agent,  sternly,  "I 
have  before  now  told  you  that  our  customers 
are  to  be  treated  with  consideration  and  kind 
ness." 

David  Mullins  did  DOT,  reply,  but  he  dug  his 
pen  viciously  into  the  pacer  on  which  he  was 
writing  a  receipt,  and  scowled,  but  as  his  back 


92  Chester  Rand 

was  turned  to  his  employer,  the  latter  did  not 
see  it. 

When  Mrs.  Carlin  had  left  the  office,  Chester 
thought  it  hest  to  introduce  himself. 

"I   am   Chester   Rand,    from   Wyncombe,'' 
he  said.     "Mr.  Conrad  came  round  to  intro 
duce  me,  but  you  were  not  in." 

"Ah,  yes,  you  have  come  to  be  my  office 
boy.  I  am  glad  to  see  you  and  hope  you  will 
like  the  city.  Mr.  Mullins,  you  will  set  this 
boy  to  work." 

"  He  told  me  he  was  to  work  here,  but  as  you 
had  not  mentioned  it  I  thought  there  must  be 
some  mistake.  He  says  he  doesn't  know  much 
about  the  city." 

"Neither  did  I  when  I  first  came  here  from 
a  country  town." 

"It  will  be  rather  inconvenient,  sir.  Now, 
my  cousin  whom  I  mentioned  to  you  is  quite  at 
home  all  over  the  city." 

"lam  glad  to  hear  it.  He  will  find  this 
knowledge  of  service — in  some  other  situation," 
added  Mr.  Fairchild,  significantly. 

David  Mullins  bit  his  lip  and  was  silent.  He 
could  not  understand  why  Felix  Gordon,  his 
cousin,  had  failed  to  impress  Mr.  Fairchild 
favorably.  He  had  not  noticed  that  Felix 
entered  the  office  with  a  cigarette  in  his  mouth, 
which  he  only  threw  away  when  he  was  intro- 
duced  to  the  real  estate  agent. 


Chester  Rana.  93 

(-  I'll  have  that  boy  out  of  this  place  within  a 
month,  or  my  name  isn't  David  Mullins  : "  he 
said  to  himself. 

Chester  could  not  read  what  was  passing 
through  his  mind,  but  he  felt  instinctively  that 
the  bookkeeper  was  his  enemy. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

MR.    MULLINS,    THE   BOOKKEEPER. 

CHESTER  felt  that  it  was  necessary  to  be  on 
his  guard.  The  bookkeeper  was  already  his 
enemy.  There  were  two  causes  for  this.  First, 
Mr.  Mullins  was  naturally  of  an  ugly  disposi 
tion,  and,  secondly,  he  was  disappointed  in  not 
securing  the  situation  for  his  cousin. 

At  noon  the  latter  made  his  appearance.  He 
was  a  thin,  dark-complexioned  boy,  with  curi 
ous-looking  eyes  that  somehow  inspired  dis 
trust. 

He  walked  up  to  the  desk  where  the  book 
keeper  was  writing. 

"Good-morning,  Cousin  David,"  he  said. 

"  Good-morning,  Felix.  Sit  down  for  a  few 
minutes,  and  I  will  take  you  out  to  lunch." 

"  All  right ! "  answered  Felix.  "  Who's  that 
boy  ? "  he  inquired,  in  a  low  voice. 

"The  new  office  boy.  Wait  till  we  go  out, 
and  I  will  tell  you  about  it." 

In  five  minutes  David  Mullins  put  on  his  hat 
and  coat  and  went  out  with  his  cousin, 


94  Chester  Rand. 

"  Stay  here  and  mind  the  office,"  he  said  to 
Chester,  "  and  if  anybody  comes  in,  keep  them, 
if  possible.  If  any  tenant  comes  to  pay  money, 
take  it  and  give  a  receipt." 

"All  right,  sir." 

When  they  were  in  the  street,  Felix  asked  : 

" Where  did  you  pick  up  the  boy?  Why 
didn't  I  get  the  place  ? " 

''You  must  ask  Mr.  Fairchild  that.  He 
engaged  him  without  consulting  me." 

"  What  sort  of  a  boy  is  he  ?  " 

"  A  country  gawky.  He  knows  nothing  of 
the  city. 

"  Is  he  a  friend  of  Mr.  Fairchild  ? " 

"Fairchild  never  met  him  before.  Some 
beggarly  artist  interceded  for  him." 

"It  is  too  bad  I  can't  be  in  the  office.  It 
would  be  so  nice  to  be  in  the  same  place  with 
you." 

"  I  did  my  best,  but  Fairchild  didn't  seem  to 
fancy  you.  I  think  he  took  a  prejudice  against 
you  on  account  of  your  smoking  cigarettes. 
He  must  have  seen  you  with  one." 

"  Does  the  new  boy  smoke  cigarettes  ?  " 

"I  don't  know.  That  gives  me  an  idea. 
You  had  better  get  intimate  with  him  and  offer 
him  cigarettes.  He  doesn't  know  Mr.  Fair- 
child's  prejudice,  and  may  fall  into  the  trap." 

"How  can  I  get  acquainted  with  him  ?" 

(C  I'll  see  to  that.     I  shall  be  sending  him  out 


Chester  Rand.  95 

on  an  errand  presently,  and  you  can  offer  to  go 

with  htm." 

"  That'll  do.  But  you  must  buy  me  a  pack 
age  of  cigarettes." 

44  Very  well.  My  plan  is  to  have  the  boy 
off  en  i  Mr.  Fairchild's  prejudices,  and  that  may 
make  a  vacancy  for  you.  By  the  way,  nevei 
let  him  see  you  smoking." 

"  I  won't,  but  as  he  is  not  about,  I'll  smoke 
a  cigarette  now." 

"  Better  wait  till  after  lunch." 

About  ten  minutes  after  Mr.  Mullins  left  the 
office,  a  man  of  forty— evidently  a  mechanic- 
entered. 

' '  Is  the  bookkeeper  in  ? "  he  asked. 

"  He's  gone  to  lunch." 

"  He  sent  me  a  bill  for  this  month's  rent, 
which  I  have  already  paid." 

"  Please  give  me  your  name. w 

"James  Long." 

"  And  where  do  you  live  ?  " 

The  address  was  given — a  house  on  East 
Twentieth  Street. 

"  Haven't  you  the  receipt  ? "  asked  Chester. 

"No." 

"  Didn't  Mr.  Mullins  give  you  one  ?" 

"  Yes  ;  but  I  carelessly  left  it  on  the  table. 
I  suppose  he  found  it  and  kept  the  money,"  he 
added,  bitterly. 

"  But  that  would  be  a  mean  thing  to  do.7* 
said  Chester,  startled 


96  Chester  Rand. 

"  Nothing  is  too  mean  for  Mullins,"  said 
Long.  "  He's  a  hard  man  and  a  tricky  one." 

"  He  will  come  in  soon  if  you  can  wait." 

"  I  can't.  I  am  at  work,  and  this  is  my  noon 
hour." 

"  I  will  tell  him  what  you  say " 

4<  Perhaps  I  may  have  a  chance  to  call  in 
this  afternoon.  •  I  feel  worried  about  this 
matter,  for,  although  it  is  only  ten  dollars, 
that  is  a  good  deal  to  a  man  with  a  family,  and 
earning  only  twelve  dollars  a  week." 

Presently  Mr.  Mullins  returned. 

"  Has  anybody  been  in  ? "  he  asked. 

"  Yes,"  answered  Chester.  "  A  man  named 
James  Long." 

A  curious  expression  came  into  the  book 
keeper's  eye. 

"  Well,  did  he  pay  his  rent  ?" 

" No;  he  said  he  had  paid  it  already." 

1 '  Oh,  he  did,  did  he  ? "  sneered  the  book 
keeper.  "In  that  case,  of  course  he  has  the 
receipt." 

"  No  ;  he  said  he  had  left  it  here  on  the  table, 
and  did  not  think  of  it  till  some  time  aiter- 
wards." 

"  A  likely  story.  He  must  think  I  am  a 
fool.  Even  a  boy  like  you  can  see  through 
that." 

"  He  seemed  to  me  like  an  honest  man." 

"  Oh,  well,  you  are  from  the  country,  and 


Chester  Rand.  97 

could  not  be  expected  to  know.    We  have  some 
sharp  swindlers  in  New  York." 

Chester  was  quite  of  that  opinion,  hut  he  was 
beginning  to  think  that  the  description  would 
apply  better  to  David  Mullins  than  to  James 
Long. 

"By  the  way,  Chester,"  said  Mr.  Mullins, 
with  unusual  blandness,  "  this  is  my  cousin, 
Felix  Gordon." 

"Glad  to  meet  you,"  said  Felix,  with  an 
artificial  smile. 

Chester  took  the  extended  hand.  He  was 
not  especially  drawn  to  Felix,  but  felt  that  it 
behooved  him  to  be  polite. 

"You  boys  must  be  somewhere  near  the 
same  age,"  said  the  bookkeeper.  "  I  will  give 
you  a  chance  to  become  acquainted.  Chester, 
I  want  you  to  go  to  number  four  seventy-one 
Bleecker  Street.  I  suppose  you  don't  know 
where  it  is  ? " 

"No,  sir." 

"  Felix,  go  with  him  and  show  him  the  way." 

Chester  was  quite  amazed  at  this  unusual 
and  unexpected  kindness  on  the  part  of  a  man 
whom  he  had  regarded  as  an  enemy.  Was  5* 
possible  that  he  had  misjudged  him  ? 

The  two  boys  went  out  together. 

When  they  were  fairly  in  the  street, 
produced  his  package  of  cigarettes. 

"  Have  one  ? "  he  asked. 


98  Chester  Rand. 

"  No,  thank  you  ;  I  don't  smoke." 

"  Don't  smoke  !  "  repeated  Felix,  in  apparent 
(•Hutment.  "  You  don't  mean  that  ? " 

"  I  never  smoked  a  cigarette  in  my  life." 

"  Then  it's  high  time  you  learned.  All  boys 
smoke  in  the  city." 

"I  don't  think  I  should  like  it." 

66  Oh,  nonsense  !    Just  try  one  for  my  sake." 

*'  Thank  you,  Felix.  You  are  very  kind,  but 
I  promised  mother  I  wouldn't  smoke." 

"  Your  mother  lives  in  the  country,  doesn't 
she?" 

66  Yes." 

"  Then  she  won't  know  it." 

"  That  will  make  no  difference.  I  made  the 
promise,  and  I  mean  to  keep  it,"  said  Chester, 
firmly. 

"  Oh,  well,  suit  yourself.  What  a  muff  he 
is  !  "  thought  Felix.  "  However,  hell  soon 
break  over  his  virtuous  resolutions.  Do  you 
know,"  he  continued,  changing  the  subject, 
"  that  you  have  got  the  situation  I  was  after  ?" 

u  I  think  I  heard  Mr.  Mullins  say  something 
about  it.  I  am  sorry  if  I  have  stood  in  your 
way." 

66  Oh,  if  it  hadn't  been  you  it  would  have 
been  some  other  boy.  How  do  you  think  you 
shall  like  the  city?" 

"  Very  much,  I  think." 

"  What  pay  do  you  get  V9 


Chester  Rana.  99 

*'  Five  dollars  a  week." 
:  You  can't  live  on  that." 

"I  will  try  to." 

"  Of  course,  it  is  different  with  me.  I  should 
have  lived  at  home.  You'll  have  to  run  into 
debt." 

"I  will  try  not  to." 

"  Where  do  you  live?" 

"  I  am  staying  with  a  friend — Mr.  Conrad, 
an  artist — just  now,  but  I  shall  soon  get  a 
boarding  place." 

"  I  live  on  Eighty-sixth  Street — in  a  flat. 
My  father  is  in  the  custom  house." 

"  How  long  has  your  cousin — Mr.  Mullins— 
been  in  this  office  ? " 

u  About  five  years.  He's  awfully  smart, 
cousin  David  is.  It's  he  that  runs  the  business. 
Mr.  Fairchild  is  no  sort  of  a  business  man." 

Chester  wondered  how,  under  the  circum 
stances,  Mr.  Mullins  should  not  have  influence 
enough  to  secure  the  situation  of  office  boy  for 
Felix. 

They  soon  reached  Bleecker  Street.  Chester 
took  notice  of  the  way  in  order  that  he  might 
know  it  again.  He  was  sharp  and  observing, 
and  meant  to  qualify  himself  for  his  position 
as  soon  as  possible. 

At  five  o'clock  the  office  was  vacated.  Ches 
ter  remained  to  sweep  up.  A  piece  of  paper  on 
the  floor  attracted  his  attention.  He  picked  it 


ioo  Chester  Rand. 

up  and  found,  to  his  surprise,  that  it  was  James 
Long's  missing  receipt.     It  was  on  the  floor  of 
the  clothes  closet,  and  he  judged  that  it  had 
dropped  from  the  bookkeeper's  pocket. 
What  should  he  do  with  it  ? 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   TABLES   TURNED. 

UNDER  ordinary  circumstances,  Chester 
would  have  handed  the  receipt  to  the  book 
keeper,  but  he  was  convinced  that  it  was  the 
purpose  of  Mr.  Mullins  to  defraud  the  tenant 
out  of  a  month's  rent,  and  he  felt  that  it  would 
not  be  in  the  interest  of  the  latter  for  him  to 
put  this  power  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Obviously  the  receipt  belonged  to  James  Long, 
who  had  lost  it. 

Fortunately,  Chester  had  the  address  of  the 
mechanic  on  East  Twentieth  Street,  and  he  re 
solved,  though  it  would  cost  him  quite  a  walk, 
to  call  and  give  him  the  paper.  In  twenty 
minutes  after  locking  the  office  he  found  him 
self  in  front  of  a  large  tenement  house,  which 
was  occupied  by  a  great  number  of  families. 
He  found  that  Long  lived  on  the  third  floor 
back. 

He  knocked  at  the  door.  It  was  opened  ta 
him  by  a  woman  of  forty,  who  had  a  babe  in 
her  arms,  while  another — a  little  girl — 
holding  onto  her  dress. 


Chester  Rand.  101 

"Does  Mr.  James  Long  live  here?"  asked 
Chester. 

"Yes." 

1 '  Is  he  at  home?" 

"No,  but  I  am  expecting  him  home  from 
work  every  minute.  Will  you  come  in,  or 
shall  I  give  him  your  message  ?  " 

"Perhaps  Iliad  better  see  him,  if  it  won't 
inconvenience  you." 

"  Oh,  no,  if  you  will  excuse  my  poor  rooms, * 
said  Mrs.  Long,  pleasantly. 

"I  am  poor  myself,  and  am  not  used  to  fine 
rooms." 

4 'Take  the  rocking-chair,"  said  Mrs.  Long, 
offering  him  the  best  chair  in  the  ipom.  "  If 
you  will  excuse  me,  I  will  go  on  preparing  my 
husband's  supper." 

"  Certainly.     Shall  I  take  the  baby  ? " 
"  Oh,  I  wouldn't  like  to  trouble  you." 

"I  like  babies." 

Chester  had  seen  that  the  baby's  face  was 
clean,  and  that  it  looked  attractive.  Babies 
know  their  friends  instinctively,  and  this  par 
ticular  baby  was  soon  in  a  frolic  with  its  young 
guardian. 

' '  I  guess  you  are  used  to  babies,"  said  the 
mother,  pleased. 

"  No,  I  am  the  only  baby  in  my  family,  but 
I  am  fond  of  children." 

I  may  remark  here  that  manly  boys  gen- 


102  Chester  Rand. 

erally  do  like  children,  and  I  haven't  much  re 
spect  for  those  who  will  tease  or  tyrannize  over 
them. 

In  ten  minutes  a  heavy  step  was  heard  on 
the  stairs,  and  James  Long  entered.  His  face 
was  sober,  for,  after  his  interview  with  Chester 
Rand — he  had  not  had  time  for  a  second  call — 
he  began  to  fear  that  he  should  have  to  pay 
his  month's  rent  over  again,  and  this  to  him 
would  involve  a  severe  loss. 

He  looked  with  surprise  at  Chester,  not  im 
mediately  recognizing  him. 

"I  come  from  Mr.  Fairchild's  office,"  ex 
plained  Chester. 

"Oh,  yes;  I  remember  seeing  you  there. 
Has  the  receipt  been  found?"  he  added, 
eagerly. 

"Yes." 

James  Long  looked  very  much  relieved. 

"I  am  very  glad,"  he  sighed.  "Mr.  Mul: 
lins  wouldn't  have  believed  me.  What  does  he 
say  now  ? " 

"  He  doesn't  know  that  the  receipt  is  found." 

"How  is  that?"  asked  the  mechanic,  puz 
zled. 

"  I  found  it  after  Mr.  Mullins  went  away." 

"  Where  did  you  find  it  ?  " 

"  In  the  clothes  closet,  just  under  where  Mr. 
Mullins  hangs  his  coat,"  added  Chester,  signifi 
cantly, 


Chester  Rand,  103 

**  And  you  bring  it  to  me  ? " 

"  Yes,  it  belongs  to  you.  Besides,  after  what 
I  heard,  I  didn't  dare  to  trust  it  in  the  hands  of 
the  bookkeeper." 

"  I  see  you  think  the  same  of  him  as  I  do." 

«  I  don't  like  him." 

"  You  think  he  meant  to  cheat  me  ? " 

"It  looks  like  it." 

"  I  am  all  right  now.  What  do  you  think  I 
had  better  do  ?  " 

''Come  round  to-morrow,  but  don't  show  the 
receipt  unless  Mr.  Fairchild  is  in  the  office. 
He  is  a  very  different  man  from  Mr.  Mullins. 
The  bookkeeper  might  still  play  a  trick  upon 
you?" 

"I  believe  you're  right.  Shall  I  tell  him 
how  you  found  and  gave  me  back  the  re 
ceipt?" 

"No;  let  Mr.  Mullins  puzzle  over  it.  It  is 
fortunate  he  didn't  destroy  the  receipt,  or  you 
would  have  had  no  resource. " 

16  You're  a  smart  boy,  and  I'll  take  your  ad 
vice.  How  long  have  you  been  in  the  office  ? " 

"This  is  my  first  day,"  answered  Chester, 
smiling. 

"Well,  well!  I  couldn't  have  believed  it. 
You  will  make  a  smart  business  man.  You've 
been  a  good  friend  to  James  Long,  and  he 
won't  forget  it.  I  say,  wife,  perhaps  this 
young  gentleman  will  stay  to  supper." 


^04  Chester  Rand. 

* '  Thank  you, "  answered  Chester.  "  I  would, 
but  I  am  to  meet  a  friend  uptown  at  six 
o'clock.  It  is  so  late,"  he  added,  looking  at 
the  clock  on  the  mantel,  "that  I  must  go  at 
once." 

When  Chester  met  his  friend  tte  artist,  he 
told  him  of  what  had  happened. 

''That  Mtillins  is  evidently  a  rascal,  and  a 
very  mean  one,"  said  Mr.  Conrad.  "  If  I  were 
going  to  defraud  anyone,  it  wouldn't  be  a  poor 
mechanic." 

"Mr.  Mullins  has  already  taken  a  dislike  to 
me.  If  he  should  discover  that  I  have  found 
the  receipt  and  given  it  to  Mr.  Long,  he  would 
hate  me  even  worse." 

"  You  must  look  out  for  him.  He  will  bear 
watching. " 

"I  wish  he  were  more  like  Mr.  Fairchild. 
He  seems  a  fair,  honorable  man." 

"He  is.  I  don't  understand  why  he  should 
employ  such  a  fellow  as  Mullins." 

"  Perhaps  he  hasn't  found  him  out.'' 

"  Mullins  will  find  it  hard  to  explain  this 
matter.  Let  me  know  how  it  comes  out.  I 
suppose  Long  will  call  at  the  office  co-mo*1- 
row  ? " 

"  Yes  ;  I  advised  him  to." 

The  next  day,  about  twenty  minutes  after 
twelve,  James  Long  entered  the  office.  He 
looked  about  him  anxiously,  and,  to  his  relief, 


Chester  Rand.  10^ 

saw  that  Mr.Fairchild  was  present.     He  went 
up  to  the  table  where  the  broker  was  seated. 

"  I  came  about  my  rent,"  he  said. 

"You  can  speak  to  Mr.  Mullins,"  said  the 
broker,  going  on  with  his  writing. 

"  I  would  rather  speak  with  you,  sir.' 

"How  is  that?"  asked  Mr.  Fairchild,  his 
attention  excited. 

''I  will  tell  you,  sir,"  said  the  bookkeeper, 
with  an  ugly  look.  "This  man  came  here 
yesterday  and  declined  to  pay  his  rent,  because, 
he  said,  he  had  paid  it  already." 

"  And  I  had,"  said  Long,  quietly.  "  I  am  a 
mechanic  on  small  wages,  and  I  can't  afford  to 
pay  my  rent  twice." 

"  Did  you  pay  the  rent  to  Mr.  Mullins  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir.'* 

"When?" 

66  Day  before  yesterday." 

"Then  he  gave  you  a  receipt  V9 

"He  did,  sir." 

"It  seerns  to  me  that  thau  settles  the  ques 
tion.      Did    you    give    him    a    receipt,    Mr 
Mullins  ?  " 

"  If  I  had,  he  could  show  it  now.  He  says» 
that  he  left  it  behind  in  the  office  here.  Of 
course,  that's  too  thin  !  " 

"It  is  very  important  to  take  good  care  oi 
your  receipt,  Mr.  Long.'* 

"  Did  you  ever  lose  or  mislay  3  receipt,  sir  ?  * 


JOG  Chester  Rand, 

"  Yes,  I  have  on  two  or  three  occasions.** 

"  So  that  I  am  not  the  only  one  to  whom  it 
has  happened." 

"  Mr.  Mullins,  did  Mr.  Long  come  to  the 
office  on  the  day  when  he  says  he  paid  the 
rent  ? " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And  he  didn't  pay  it?" 

"  No,  sir.  He  said  he  hadn't  the  money,  but 
would  bring  it  in  a  few  days." 

James  Long  listened  in  indignant  astonish 
ment. 

"  That  is  untrue,  sir.  I  made  no  excuse, 
but  handed  Mr.  Mullins  the  amount  in  full." 

"  There  is  a  very  extraordinary  discrepancy 
in  your  statements.  You  say  that  he  wrote  out 
a  receipt  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  It  is  a  pity  that  you  can't  produce  it." 

"Yes,"  chimed  in  Mullins,  with  a  sneer,  "it 
is  unlucky  that  you  cannot  produce  it." 

Then  came  a  sensation. 

"I  can  produce  it,"  said  Long.  "The  re 
ceipt  has  been  found,"  and  he  drew  out  the  slip 
of  paper  and  passed  it  to  Mr.  Fairchild. 

The  face  of  Mullins  was  a  study.  His 
amazement  was  deep  and  genuine. 

"It  must  be  a  forgery,"  he  said.  "Mr, 
Long  can't  possibly  have  a  receipt." 

"You  are  mistaken,"  said  Mr.   Fairchild 


Chester  Rand.  107 

"  The  receipt  and  the  signature  are  genuine, 
and  it  is  written  on  one  o£  our  letter  heads." 

Mullins  took  the  receipt  and  faltered  : 

"  I  don't  understand  it." 

"Nor  do  I,"  said  the  broker,  sternly.  "Did 
you  make  any  entry  on  the  books  ? " 

"I — I  don't  remember." 

"Show  me  the  record." 

Mr.  Fairchild  opened  the  book,  and  saw  an 
entry  made,  but  afterward  erased. 

When  the  bookkeeper  found  the  receipt  on 
the  table,  a  promising  piece  of  rascality  was 
suggested  to  him.  He  would  keep  the  money 
himself,  and  conceal  the  record. 

"  Mr.  Long,"  said  the  broker,  "  here  is  your 
receipt.  It  is  clear  that  you  have  paid  your 
rent.  You  will  have  no  more  trouble." 

Then,  as  the  mechanic  left  the  office,  the 
broker,  turning  to  the  bookkeeper,  said,  sternly: 

"Another  such  transaction,  Mr.  Mullins, 
and  you  leave  my  employ." 

"  But,  sir "  stammered  Mullins. 

"You  may  spare  your  words.  I  understand 
the  matter.  If  you  had  not  been  in  my  employ 
so  long,  I  would  discharge  you  at  the  end  of 
this  week." 

Mullins  went  back  to  his  desk,  crushed  and 
mortified.  But  his  brain  was  busy  with  the 
thought,  "  Where  could  James  Long  have  ob 
tained  the  receipt?"  He  remembered  having 


io8  Chester  Rand. 

put  it  into  the  pocket  of  his  overcoat,  and  it 
had  disappeared. 

"I  was  a  fool  that  I  didn't  destroy  it,"  he 
reflected. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  PLOT  AGAINST   CHESTER. 

THE  more  the  bookkeeper  thought  of  it,  the 
more  he  was  of  the  opinion  that  Chester  must 
have  had  something  to  do  with  the  events  that 
led  to  his  discovery  and  humiliation.  Other 
wise,  how  could  James  Long  have  recovered  the 
receipt  ?  He,  himself,  had  found  it  and  kept  it 
in  his  possession.  Chester  must  have  chanced 
upon  the  receipt  and  carried  it  to  Long. 

Though  well  convinced  of  it,  he  wished  to 
find  out  positively.  Accordingly,  he  took  his 
cousin  Felix  into  his  confidence  as  far  as  was 
necessary,  and  sent  him  to  the  room  of  the 
mechanic  to  find  out  whether  Chester  had 
been  there. 

It  was  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  when 
Felix  knocked  at  the  door  of  James  Long's 
humble  home. 

Mrs.  Long,  with  the  bahy  in  her  arms, 
answered  the  knock. 

"Is  this  Mrs.  Long?"  asked  Felix. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"I  am  the  friend  of  Chester  Rand." 


Chester  Rand.  109 

"  I  don't  think  I  know  Mr.  Rand,"  said  Mrs. 
Long,  who  had  not  heard  Chester's  name. 

"The  boy  from  Mr.  Fairchild's  office.  He 
called  here,  I  believe,  one  day  last  week." 

"  Oh,  y^-3  and  a  good  friend  he  was  to  me 
and  mine." 

"  In  what  way  ?  "  asked  Felix,  his  face  light 
ing  with  satisfaction  at  the  discovery  he  had 
made. 

"  He  brought  my  husband  the  receipt  he  had 
lost.  Didn't  he  tell  you  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes.  I  wasn't  thinking  of  that.  He 
asked  me  to  inquire  if  he  left  his  gloves  here  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  found  any.  I  should  have  seen 
them  if  he  left  them  here." 

"All  right.  I  will  tell  him.  He  thought 
lie  might  have  left  them.  Good  morning, 
ma'am." 

And  Felix  hurried  downstairs.  He  was  not 
partial  to*  poor  people  or  tenement  houses,  and 
he  was  glad  to  get  away. 

He  reached  the  office  in  time  to  go  out  to 
lunch  with  the  bookkeeper. 

"Well?"  asked  Mullins,  eagerly.  "Did 
you  go  to  Long's  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  What  did  you  find  out  ?" 

"  I  found  out  that  your  office  boy  had  been 
there  and  carried  them  the  receipt." 

"  The    young — viper !    So  he   is  trying    to 


no  Chester  Rand. 

undermine  me  in  the  office.  Well,  he'll  live 
to  regret  it,"  and  the  bookkeeper  shook  his 
head  vigorously. 

"  I'd  get  even  with  him  if  I  were  you,  Cousin 
David." 

4 'Trust  me  for  that!  I  generally  pay  off 
all  debts  of  that  kind." 

4 'How  will  you  do  it?"  asked  Felix,  curi 
ously. 

"I  don't  know  yet.  Probably  I'll  get  him 
into  some  bad  scrape  that  will  secure  his  dis 
charge." 

"  And  then  you'll  get  me  into  the  pl^ce  ?" 

" 1  am  afraid  I  can't.  I  am  not  on  good 
terms  with  Mr.  Fairchild,  and  my  recommenda 
tion  won't  do  you  much  good,  even  if  I  do 
manage  to  get  rid  of  Chester." 

"  Then  I  don't  see  how  I  am  going  to  be 
benefited  by  working  for  you,"  said  Felix,  dis 
satisfied. 

"Ill  pay  you  in  some  way.  To  begin  with, 
here's  a  dollar.  This  is  for  your  errand  of 
this  morning." 

"Thank  you,  Cousin  David,"  said  Felix, 
pocketing  the  bill  with  an  air  of  satisfaction. 
"  I  think  I'll  go  to  Daly's  Theater  to-night. 
Father  doesn't  give  me  much  spending  money 
— only  twenty- five  cents  a  week,  and  what's  a 
fellow  to  do  with  such  a  beggarly  sum  as 
that?" 


Chester  Rand.  in 

€t  It  is  more  than  I  had  at  your  age." 

"The  world  has  progressed  since  then.  A 
boy  needs  more  pocket  money  now  than  he  did 
fifteen  years  ago.  How  soon  shall  you  try  to 
get  even  with  that  boy  ? " 

k'I  think  it  will  be  prudent  to  wait  awhile. 
Mr.  Fairchild  may  suspect  something  if  I  move 
too  soon.  The  boy  has  been  with  us  less  than 
a  week." 

"  He  has  been  with  you  long  enough  to  do 
some  harm." 

"  That's  true."  said  Mullins,  with  an  ugly  look. 

"  Does  he  seem  to  suit  Mr.  Fairchild  ?  " 

"Yes;  he  appears  to  be  intelligent,  and  he 
attends  to  his  duties — worse  luck! — but  he's  a 
thorn  in  my  side,  a  thorn  in  my  side!  I'd  give 
twenty-five  dollars  if  he  was  out  of  the  office." 

' '  Do  you  want  me  to  break  off  acquaintance 
with  him  ? " 

"  No  ;  keep  on  good  terms  with  hirn.  Let 
him  think  you  are  his  intimate  friend.  It  will 
give  me  a  chance  to  plot  against  him — through 
you." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

PROF.    HAZLITT    AT  HOME. 

CHESTER  did  not  forget  his  engagement  tc 
call  upon  Prof.  Hazlitt  on  Wednesday  evening. 

He  was  shown  at  once  into  the  professor's 
study.  It  was  a  large  room,  the  sides  lined 


H2  Chester  Rand. 

with  bookcases  crowded  with  volumes.  There 
seemed  to  be  more  books  than  Chester  had  ever 
seen  before. 

In  the  center  of  the  room  was  a  study  table, 
covered  with  books,  open  as  if  in  use.  On  one 
side  was  a  desk,  at  which  Prof.  Hazlitt  himself 
was  seated. 

44  Good-evening,  my  young  friend,"  he  said, 
cordially,  as  Chester  entered  the  room.  "You 
did  not  forget  your  appointment." 

"  No,  sir.  I  was  not  likely  to  forget  such  an 
engagement." 

"  Have  you  grown  to  feel  at  home  in  the  city  ?" 

"Not  entirely,  sir,  but  I  am  getting  a  little 
used  to  it." 

"I  think  you  mentioned  that  you  were  going 
into  a  real  estate  office  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir.  I  have  commenced  my  duties 
there." 

"I  hope  you  find  them  agreeable." 

"I  might,  sir,  but  that  the  bookkeeper  seems 
to  have  taken  a  dislike  to  me." 

"  I  suspect  that  you  would  like  better  to  de 
vote  yourself  to  art  work." 

"  I  think  I  should,  sir,  but  Mr.  Conrad  thinks 
it  better  that  I  should  only  devote  my  leisure 
to  drawing." 

"  ITo  doubt  his  advice  is  wise,  for  the  present, 
at  least.  Now,  suppose  we  come  to  business. 
I  believe  I  told  you  I  am  writing  a  book  on 


Chester  Rand.  113 

"Yes,  sir." 

<fl  find  a  good  deal  of  help  in  rare  volumes 
which  I  consult  at  the  Astor  Library.  These 
I  cannot  borrow,  but  I  have  the  use  of  anything 
I  find  suited  to  my  needs  in  the  library  of  Co- 
Jumbia  College.  Then  I  import  a  good  many 
books.  I  shall  spare  110  pains  to  make  my  own 
work  valuable  and  comprehensive.  Of  course, 
I  shall  "eel  at  liberty  to  copy  and  use  any  illus 
trations  I  find  in  foreign  publications.  It  is 
here  that  you  can  help  me." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Here,  for  instance,"  and  the  professor 
opened  a  French  book,  "are  some  sketches 
illustrating  the  dress  and  appearance  of  the 
natives  of  Madagascar.  Do  you  think  you  can 
copy  them  ? " 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  sir,"  he  answered. 

"Sit  down  in  that  chair  and  try.  You  will 
find  pencils  and  drawing  paper  before  you.  I 
will  mention  one  or  two  particulars  in  which  I 
want  you  to  deviate  from  the  original." 

Chester  sat  down  and  was  soon  deep  in  his 
task.  He  felt  that  it  was  important  for  him  to 
do  his  best.  He  could  understand  that,  though 
the  professor  was  a  kind-hearted  man,  he  would 
be  a  strict  critic. 

He  therefore  worked  slowly  and  carefully, 
and  it  was  nearly  an  hour  before  he  raised  his 
head  and  said  : 


U4  Chester  Rand 

"I  have  finished. " 

"Show  the  sketch  to  me," said  the  professor 

Chester  handed  it  to  him. 

He  examined  it  with  critical  attention. 
Gradually  his  face  lighted  up  with  pleasure. 

"  Admirably  done!"  he  exclaimed.  "You 
have  carried  out  my  wishes." 

"  Then  you  are  satisfied,  sir?" 

4  'Entirely." 

"  I  am  very  glad,"  said  Chester,  with  an  air 
of  relief. 

He  felt  now  he  could  do  all  that  was  required 
of  him,  and,  as  the  contract  would  pay  him 
two  hundred  dollars,  this  success  to-night  was 
an  important  one. 

"  I  won't  ask  you  to  do  any  more  this  even 
ing,  but  I  will  give  you  some  work  to  do  at 
home.  I  believe  I  agreed  to  pay  you  two 
dollars  for  each  sketch  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Probably  you  are  not  over  well  provided 
with  money,  and  I  will  pay  you  as  you  go  on. 
Or,  rather,  I  will  give  you  ten  dollars  as  an 
advance  for  future  work." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.     You  are  very  kind." 

"  Only  considerate.  I  have  seen  the  time 
when  a  ten-dollar-bill  would  have  been  wel 
come  to  me.  Now,  thanks  to  a  wealthy  rela 
tive,  who  left  me  a  fortune,  I  am  ampiv  t>n> 
vided  for," 


Chester  Rand*  115 

At  this  moment  the  study  door  opened  and  a 
bright-looking  boy  of  about  fifteen  entered. 

"May  I  come  in,  uncle?"  he  asked,  with  a 
smile. 

"Yes.  Chester,  this  is  my  nephew,  Arthur 
Burks.  Arthur,  this  is  Chester  Kand,  a  young 
artist,  who  is  assisting  me." 

Arthur  came  forward  and  gave  Chester  his 
hand  cordially. 

"  You  ought  to  wear  spectacles,"  he  said, 
"like  uncle  Edgar.  You  don't  look  dignified 
enough  to  be  his  assistant." 

1 '  That  may  come  in  time,"  said  Chester, 
with  a  smile. 

"  Arthur,  I  am  done  with  Chester  for  this 
evening,"  said  the  professor.  "  You  may  carry 
him  off  and  entertain  him.  You  may  bring 
me  the  other  two  sketches  whenever  you  are 
ready." 

"Come  up  to  my  den,"  said  Arthur.  "I 
have  the  front  room  on  the  third  floor." 

As  they  went  upstairs,  a  prolonged,  melan 
choly  shriek  rang  through  the  house. 

Chester  stopped  short  in  dismay,  and  an 
expression  of  pain  succeeded  the  gay  look 
on  Arthur's  face. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

CHESTER  TAKES  A  LESSON  IN  BOXING. 

"That  is  my  poor,  little  cousin,"  explained 
Arthur 


Ii6  Chester  Rand. 

" Is  he  sick  or  in  pain?"  asked  Chester,  in 
quick  sympathy. 

"  He  had  a  fever  when  he  was  three  years 
old  that  left  his  mind  a  wreck.  He  is  now 
eight.  The  most  eminent  physicians  have  seen 
him,  but  there  seems  HU>  hooe  of  his  improve 
ment  or  recovery." 

"  Does  he  suffer  pain  \ '9 

"  You  ask  on  account  of  the  shriek  you  heard. 
As  far  as  we  can  tell,  he  does  not.  The  shriek 
comes,  so  the  doctor  tells  us,  from  a  nervous 
spasm.  He  would  have  been  a  bright  boy  if  he 
had  kept  his  health.  Would  you  like  to  see 
him  ? " 

Chester  shrank  back. 

"  I  arn  afraid  I  should  excite  him,"  he  said. 

He  had,  besides,  an  idea  that  a  boy  so  afflicted 
would  be  repulsive  in  appearance. 

"No,"  said  Arthur,  "  it  may  relieve  him  to 
see  you  by  diverting  his  thoughts." 

Without  further  words,  he  opened  the  door 
of  a  room  at  the  head  of  the  staircase  and  en 
tered,  followed  reluctantly  by  Chester. 

4 'Ernest,"  said  Arthur,  in  a  soothing  k>ney 
"I  have  brought  you  a  friend.  His  name  is 
Chester." 

Chester  was  amazed  at  the  sight  of  the  boy. 
He  was  wonderfully  handsome,  especially  when 
at  Arthur's  words  the  look  of  pain  left  his  fare 
and  it  brightened  into  radiant  beauty.  He 


Chester  Rand.  117 

seemed  to  fall  in  love  with  Chester  at  first  sight- 
He  ran  up  to  him,  seized  his  hand,  kissed  it, 
and  said  : 

"  I  love  you." 

Arthur,  too,  looked  amazed. 

"  He  never  took  to  anyone  so  before,"  he 
said.  "  You  have  fascinated  him." 

"  Sit  down.  Let  rne  sit  in  your  lap,"  pleaded 
Ernest. 

All  feeling  of  repugnance,  all  thoughts  of 
the  boy's  malady  were  forgotten.  Chester  sat 
in  a  low  rocking-chair  and  Ernest  seated  himself 
in  his  lap,  touching  his  face  and  hair  softly  with 
a  caressing  hand. 

"  What  a  charming  boy  he  is!"  thought 
Chester. 

"Did  you  come  to  see  me  ?"  asked  Ernest, 
softly. 

"  Yes,  I  came  with  Arthur." 

"  Will  you  stay  with  me  a  little  while  ? " 

"  A  little  while,  but  I  must  soon  go.  Why 
did  you  scream  so  loud  a  little  while  ago  ? " 

' '  I— don't  know." 

"  Were  you  in  pain  ?  " 

"N — no,"  answered  Ernest,  softly. 

"  Do  you  like  to  cry  out  in  that  manner  ?'J 

"  No,  but— I  have  to  do  it.     I  can't  help  it." 

"  I  think  he  gives  the  right  explanation,"  said 
Arthur.  "It  is  a  nervous  impulse,  and  has 
nothing  to  do  with  pain." 


Ii8  Chester  Rand. 

"  Does  he  ever  sit  in  your  lap,  like  this  ?" 

"  No  ;  I  think  he  likes  me  in  a  way,  for  I  am 
always  kind  to  him,  but  you  seem  to  draw  him 
to  you  irresistibly." 

At  that  moment  the  professor  came  in. 
When  he  saw  Ernest  sitting  in  Chester's  lap, 
he  stopped  short  in  astonishment. 

"  This  is  strange,"  he  said. 

"  Isn't  it,  uncle  ?  Chester  seems  to  fascinate 
my  little  cousin.  No  sooner  did  he  enter  the 
room  than  Ernest  ran  up  to  him,  kissed  his 
hand,  and  caressed  him." 

"  I  can't  explain  it,"  said  the  professor,  "but 
Chester  seems  to  have  a  wonderful  influence 
over  my  poor  boy.  I  never  saw  him  look  so 
happy  or  contented  before." 

All  this  while  Ernest  continued  to  stroke 
Chester's  cheek  and  his  hair,  and  regarded  him 
with  looks  of  fond  affection. 

"lam  afraid  Ernest  annoys  you,"  said  the 
professor. 

"  No  ;  I  am  glad  he  likes  me.  I  never  had  a 
little  brother.  I  think  I  should  enjoy  having 


one." 


"If  he  could  only  be  always  like  this,"  said 
the  professor,  regretfully. 

Just  then  Margaret  entered.  She  was  the 
nurse,  who  had  constant  charge  of  Ernest. 
She  paused  on  the  threshold,  and  her  looks 
showed  her  surprise. 


Chester  Rand.  119 

**  Ernest  has  found  a  friend,  Margaret,"  said 
the  professor. 

"  I  never  saw  the  like,  sir.  Come  here, 
Ernest." 

The  boy  shook  his  head. 

"  No,  I  want  to  stay  with  him,"  indicating 
Chester. 

"  Did  Ernest  ever  see  him  before,  sir?5' 

"No;  it  seems  to  be  a  case  of  love  at  first 
sight," 

"  He  has  cut  me  out,"  said  Arthur,  smiling. 
"  Ernest,  which  do  you  like  best,  me  or  him  V9 

"  Him,"  answered  Ernest,  touching  Chester's 
cheek. 

"  I  must  tell  Dr.  Gridley  of  this  new  mani 
festation  on  the  part  of  my  poor  boy,"  said  the 
professor.  "  Perhaps  he  can  interpret  it." 

For  twenty  minutes  Chester  retained  Ernest 
on  his  lap.  Then  Arthur  said  : 

"  Chester  must  go  now,  Ernest." 

The  boy  left  Chester's  lap  obediently. 

"Will  you  come  and  see  me  again?"  he 
pleaded. 

"Yes,  I  will  come,"  said  Chester,  and,  stoop 
ing  over,  he  kissed  the  boy's  cheek.  Ernest's 
face  lighted  up  with  a  loving  smile,  and  again 
he  kissed  Chester's  hand. 

"Now,  Chester,  you  can  come  to  rny  den." 
Arthur  opened  the  door  of  a  large  room,  fur 
nished  with  every  comfort. 


120  Chester  Rand. 

It  was  easy  to  see  that  it  was  a  boy's  apart 
ment.  On  a  table  were  boxing  gloves.  Over 
a  desk  in  a  corner  was  hung  the  photograph  of 
a  football  team,  of  which  Arthur  was  the  cap 
tain.  There  was  another  photograph  repre 
senting  him  with  gloves  on,  about  to  have  a 
set-to  with  a  boy  friend. 

"  Do  you  box,  Chester  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No  ;  I  never  saw  a  pair  of  boxing  gloves 
before." 

"  I  will  give  you  a  lesson.  Here,  put  on  this 
pair.'' 

Chester  smiled. 

"I  shall  be  at  your  mercy,"  he  said.  "I 
am,  perhaps,  as  strong  as  you,  but  I  have  no 
science." 

"  It  won't  take  you  long  to  learn." 

So  the  two  boys  faced  each  other.  Before  he 
knew  what  was  going  to  happen,  Chester  re 
ceived  a  light  tap  on  the  nose  from  his  new 
friend. 

"I  must  tell  you  how  to  guard  yourself.  I 
will  be  the  professor  and  you  the  pupil." 

Chester  soon  became  interested,  and  at  the 
end  of  half  an  hour  his  teacher  declared  that 
he  had  improved  wonderfully. 

"  We  will  have  a  lesson  every  time  you  come 
to  see  uncle,"  he  said. 

"  Then  I  shall  come  to  see  two  professors." 

"  Yes,  an  old  one  and  young  one.     Between 


Chester  Rand.  121 

ancle,  Ernest  and  myself,  you  will  find  your 
time  pretty  well  occupied  when  you  come  here.'' 

'"  I  think  it  a  great  privilege  to  come  here," 
said  Chester,  gratefully. 

"And  I  am  glad  to  have  you.  I  shall  have 
some  one  to  box  with,  at  any  rate.  Now,"  he 
added,  with  a  comical  look,  "  I  c^an't  induce  my 
uncle  to  have  a  bout  with  me.  Indeed,  I 
should  be  afraid  to,  for  he  is  so  shortsighted  he 
would  need  to  wear  spectacles,  and  I  would 
inevitably  break  them." 

Chester  could  not  forbear  laughing  at  the 
idea  of  the  learned  professor  having  a  boxing 
match  with  his  lively,  young  nephew. 

"  If  you  will  make  me  as  good  a  boxer  as 
yourself,  I  shall  feel  very  much  indebted." 

"That  will  come  in  time.  I  arn  quite  flat 
tered  at  the  opportunity  of  posing  as  a  teacher. 
Have  you  a  taste  for  jewelry  ?  Just  look  in 
this  drawer." 

Arthur  opened  one  of  the  small  drawers  in 
his  bureau,  and  displayed  a  varied  collection  of 
studs,  sleeve  buttons,  collar  buttons,  scarf  pins, 
etc. 

"You  might  set  up  a  jeweler's  store,"  sug 
gested  Chester.  "Where  did  you  get  them 
all  ? " 

"I  had  an  uncle  who  was  in  the  business, 
and  he  and  other  relatives  have  given  me 
plenty." 


122  Chester  Rand, 

"  I  haven't  even  a  watch." 
"  No,  really  ?    Why,  how  can  you  get  along 
without  one  ? " 
"I  have  to." 

"Wait  a  minute." 

Arthur  opened  another  drawer,  revealing 
two  silver  watches,  one  an  open  face,  the  ^ther 
a  hunting  watch. 

' '  Take  your  choice, "  he  said. 

"  Do  you  really  mean  it  ? " 

0  Certainly." 

"  But  would  your  uncle  approve  of  your 
giving  me  such  a  valuable  present  ? " 

"  My  uncle  doesn't  bother  himself  about  such 
trifles.  I  don't  use  either  of  these  watches. 
I  have  a  gold  one,  given  me  last  Christmas." 

"  Since  you  are  so  kind.  I  think  I  prefer  the 
hunting  watch." 

"  All  right  !  There  it  is.  Let  me  set  it  for 
you.  The  chain  goes  with  it,  of  course." 

Chester  felt  delighted  with  his  present.  He 
had  hoped  sometime — when  he  was  eighteen, 
perhaps — to  own  a  watch,  but  had  no  expecta 
tion  of  getting  one  so  soon. 

4 'You  are  a  generous  friend,  Arthur,"  he 
said. 

"Don't  make  too  much  of  such  £  f  rifle,  Ches 
ter  !  "  returned  the  other,  lightly. 

When  Chester  said  he  must  go  home,  Arthur 
put  on  his  hat  and  proposed  to  walk  with  him 


Chester  Rand.  123 

part  of  the  way,  an  offer  which  Chester  grate 
fully  accepted. 

They  walked  over  to  Broadway,  chatting  as 
they  went. 

All  at  once,  Chester,  who  had  not  expected 
to  see  anyone  he  knew,  touched  Arthur  on  the 
arm. 

"Do  you  see  that  man  in  front  of  us?"  he 
asked,  pointing  to  a  figure  about  six  feet 
ahead. 

"Yes.     What  of  him?" 

"It  is  our  bookkeeper,  David  Mullins." 

"  Is  it,  indeed  ?  Do  you  know  whom  he  i« 
walking  with  ? " 

Chester  glanced  at  a  rather  flashily  dressed 
individual  who  was  walking  arm  in  arm  with 
the  bookkeeper. 

"No,"  he  answered, 

4 '  It  is  Dick  Kalston,"  answered  Arthur,  "one 
of  the  most  notorious  gamblers  in  the  city.t: 


CHAPTER   KVIIL 

DICK  RALSTON. 

CHESTER  was  new  to  the  city  and  a  novice  in 
worldly  affairs,  but  the  discovery  that  the  book 
keeper  was  on  intimate  terms  with  a  gambler 
astounded  him.  He  felt  that  Mr.  Fairchild 


124  Chester  Rand. 

ought  to  know  it,  but  he  shrank  from  telling 
him. 

Of  course,  the  presumption  was  that  Mullins 
was  also  a  gambler,  but  this  was  not  certain. 
Chester  decided  to  say  nothing,  but  to  be 
watchful.  David  Mullins  had  been  five  years 
in  his  present  place,  and  his  services  must  have 
been  satisfactory  or  he  would  not  have  been 
retained. 

There  was  one  thing,  however,  that  Chester 
did  not  know.  This  gambler— Dick  Ealston, 
as  he  was  familiarly  called — was  only  a  recent 
acquaintance.  Mullins  had  known  him  but 
three  months,  but  had  already,  through  his  in 
fluence,  been  smitten  by  the  desire  to  become 
rich  more  quickly  than  he  could  in  any  legiti 
mate  way. 

He  had  accompanied  Dick  to  the  gaming 
table,  and  tried  his  luck,  losing  more  than  he 
could  comfortably  spare.  He  was  in  debt  to 
his  dangerous  friend  one  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars,  and  on  the  evening  in  question  Dick 
had  intimated  that  he  was  in  need  of  the 
money. 

"  But  how  can  I  give  it  to  you  ? "  asked  Mul 
lins,  in  a  tone  of  annoyance. 

"You  receive  a  good  salary/'' 

"  One  hundred  dollars  a  month,  yes.  But  I 
can't  spare  more  than  thirty  dollars  a  month 
toward  paying  the  debt." 


Chester  Rand.  125 

"  Which  would  take  you  five  months.  That 
won't  suit  me.  Haven't  you  got  any  money 
saved  up  ? " 

"No  ;  I  ought  to  have,  but  I  have  enjoyed 
myself  as  I  went  along,  and  it  has  taken  all  I 
earned." 

"  Humph  !     Very  pleasant  for  me  !  " 

"  And  for  me,  too.  It  isn't  very  satisfactory 
to  pinch  and  scrape  for  five  months  just  to  get 
out  of  debt.  If  it  was  for  articles  I  had  had — 
in  other  words,  for  value  received — it  would  be 
different.  But  it  is  just  for  money  lost  at  the 
gaming  table — a  gambling  debt." 

"Such  debts,  among  men  of  honor,"  said 
Dick,  loftily,  "  are  the  most  binding.  Every 
where  they  are  debts  of  honor." 

"  I  don't  see  why,"  grumbled  Mullins. 

"  Come,"  said  Ealston,  soothingly,  "you  are 
out  of  sorts,  and  can't  see  things  in  their  right 
light.  I'll  lend  you  fifty  dollars  more,  mak 
ing  the  debt  two  hundred  dollars." 

"  I  don't  see  how  that,  will  help  me." 

"  I'll  tell  you.  You  must  win  the  money  to 
pay  your  debt  at  the  gaming  table.  Why,  two 
hundred  dollars  is  a  trifle.  You  might  win  it 
in  one  evening." 

"  Or  lose  as  much  more." 

"  There's  no  such  word  as  fail  I  Shall  I  tell 
you  what  I  did  once  'i " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Mullins,  in  some  curiosity. 


126  Chester  Rand. 

"I  was  in  Nashville — dead  broke!  I  was 
younger  then,  and  losses  affected  me  mere.  I 
was  even  half  inclined — you  will  laugh,  I  know 
—to  blow  my  brains  out  or  to  throw  myself 
into  the  river,  when  a  stranger  offered  to  lend 
me  ten  dollars  to  try  my  luck  again.  Well,  I 
thought  as  you  did,  that  it  was  of  little  use.  I 
would  lose  it,  and  so  make  matters  worse. 

"  But  desperation  led  me  to  accept.  It  was  one 
chance,  not  a  very  good  one,  but  still  a  chance. 
From  motives  of  prudence  I  only  risked  five  dol 
lars  at  first.  I  lost.  Savagely  I  threw  down 
the  remaining  five  and  won  twenty-five.  Then  I 
got  excited,  and  kept  on  for  an  hour.  At  the 
end  of  that  time,  how  do  you  think  I  stood  ?  " 

"How  ?"  asked  Mullins,  eagerly. 

"I  had  won  eight  hundred  and  sixty-five 
dollars,"  answered  Dick  Ealston,  coolly.  "I 
paid  back  the  ten  dollars,  and  went  out  of  the 
gambling  house  a  rich  man,  comparatively 
speaking." 

Now,  all  this  story  was  a  clever  fiction,  but 
David  Mullins  did  not  know  this.  He  accepted 
it  as  plain  matter  of  fact,  and  his  heart  beat 
quickly  as  he  fancied  himself  winning  as  large 
a  sum. 

"  But  such  cases  must  be  rare,"  he  ventured 

' '  Not  at  all.  I  could  tell  you  more  wonderful 
stories  about  friends  of  mine,  though  it  was 


Chester  Rand.  12? 

fehe  luckiest  thing  that  ever  happened  to  me. 
Now,  will  you  take  the  fifty  dollars  I  offered 
you  ? " 

"Yes,  but  I  don't  want  to  play  again  to 
night  I  foel  nervous." 

"  Very  good.  Meet  me  to-morrow  evening 
^t  the  gambling  house,  and  the  money  shall  be 
ieady  for  you." 

Then  they  parted,  and  the  bookkeeper,  whn 
had  a  headache,  went  home  and  to  bed.  Ka 
had  that  evening  lost  fifty  dollars  to  Dick  Rals 
ton,  and  so  increased  his  debt  from  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

But  his  heart  was  filled  with  feverish  excite 
ment.  The  story  told  by  Ralston  had  its  effect 
upon  him,  and  he  decided  to  keep  on  in  the 
dangerous  path  upon  which  he  had  entered. 
Why  pinch  himself  for  five  months  to  pay  his 
debt,  when  a  single  evening's  luck  would  clear 
him  from  every  obligation  ?  If  Dick  Ralston 
and  others  could  be  lucky,  why  not  he?  This  was 
the  way  Mullins  reasoned.  He  never  stopped 
to  consider  what  would  be  the  result  if  things 
did  not  tu:*-i  out  as  he  hoped — if  he  lost  instead 
of  won. 

Some  weeks  passed.  The  bookkeeper  met 
with  varying  success  at  the  gaming  table. 
Sometimes  he  won,  sometimes  he  lost,  but  on 
the  whole  his  debt  to  Dick  Ralston  didn't  in 
crease.  There  were  reasons  why  the  gambler 


128  Chester  Rand. 

decided  to  go  slow.     He  was  playing  with  Mul 
lir°  as  a  cat  plays  with  a  mouse. 

But  our  chief  concern  is  with  Chester  Eand. 
He  found  a  comfortable  room  on  Twelfth 
Street,  not  far  from  the  office,  which,  with 
board,  only  cost  him  five  dollars  per  week. 
This,  to  be  sure,  took  all  his  salary,  but  he  was 
earning  something  outside. 

On  account  of  so  much  time  being  taken  up 
by  his  work  for  the  professor,  he  did  little  for 
the  comic  weeklies.  But  occasionally,  through 
his  friend,  the  artist,  a  five  or  ten-dollar  bill 
came  into  his  hands.  He  bought  himself  a  new 
suit,  and  some  other  articles  which  he  found 
he  needed,  and  wrote  home  to  ask  his  mother 
if  she  wished  any  assistance. 

"  Thank  you  for  your  offer,"  she  replied, 
"  but  the  money  Miss  Dolby  pays  me  defrays 
all  my  housekeeping  expenses  and  a  little  more. 
She  Is  certainly  peculiar,  but  is  good-natured, 
and  never  finds  fault.  She  is  a  good  deal  of 
company  for  me.  Of  course,  I  miss  you  very 
much,  but  it  cheers  me  to  think  you  are  doing 
well,  and  are  happy,  with  good  prospects  for 
the  future.  There  is  nothing  for  you  in  Wyn~ 
combe,  as  I  very  well  know;  that  is,  nothing 
you  would  be  willing  to  accept. 

"  That  reminds  me  to  say  that  Mr.  Tripp  is 
having  a  hard  time  with  boys.  He  discharged 
Abel  Wood  soon  after  you  went  to  New  York. 


Chester  Rand.  129 

He  has  tried  two  boys  since,  but  doesn't  seem 
to  get  suited.  When  I  was  in  the  store  yestei 
day,  he  inquired  after  you.  '  Tell  him ,'  he  said, 
*  that  if  he  gets  tired  of  New  York,  he  can  come 
back  to  the  store,  and  I  will  pay  him  three  dol 
lars  a  week!"  He  said  this  with  an  air  of  a 
man  who  is  making  a  magnificent  offer.  I  told 
him  you  were  satisfied  with  your  position  in 
the  city  I  must  tell  you  of  one  mean  thing 
he  has  done. 

"  He  has  been  trying  to  induce  Miss  Dolby  to 
leave  me  and  take  board  with  him,  offering  to 
take  her  for  two  dollars  a  week  less.  She  told 
me  of  this  herself.  '  I  wouldn't  go  there  if 
he'd  take  me  for  nothing,'  she  said,  and  I  be 
lieve  she  meant  it.  She  is  not  mean,  and  is 
willing  to  pay  a  fair,  even  a  liberal,  price, 
where  she  is  suited.  You  see,  therefore,  that 
neither  you  nor  I  need  borrow  any  trouble  on 
this  point!" 

This  letter  relieved  Chester  of  all  anxiety. 
All  things  seemed  bright  to  him.  What  he 
did  for  the  comic  weeklies,  added  to  his  work 
for  Prof.  Hazlitt,  brought  him  in  ten  dollars 
a  week  on  an  average.  This,  added  to  the 
five  dollars  a  week  from  Mr.  Fairchild,  gave 
him  an  aggregate  salary  of  fifteen  dollars  a 
week,  so  that  he  was  always  amply  provided 
with  money. 

"  Cousin  David,"  said  Felix  to  the  bookkeeper 


130  Chester  Rand. 

one  day,  "I  don't  see  how  it  happens  that 

Chester  is  so  well  supplied  with  cash." 

"Is  he?"  asked  Mullins. 

"  Yes;  he  has  just  bought  a  new  suit,  a  new 
hat  and  new  shoes.  They  must  have  cost  him 
altogether  as  much  as  thirty  dollars.  How 
much  wages  do  you  pay  him  ? " 

"Five  dollars  a  week." 

"  And  he  pays  all  that  for  board,  for  he  told 


me  so." 


44  It  does  seem  a  little  mysterious.  Perhaps 
his  friend  the  artist  helps  him." 

4 'No,  he  doesn't.  I  intimated  as  much  one 
day,  but  he  said  no,  that  he  paid  his  own  way. 
One  evening  last  week,  I  saw  him  going  into 
Daly's  Theatre  with  a  young  fellow  handsome 
ly  dressed — quite  a  young  swell.  They  had 
two-dollar  seats,  and  I  learned  that  Chester 
paid  for  them.  He  doesn't  have  any  chance  to 
pick  up  any  money  in  this  office,  does  he  ? r 
asked  Felix,  significantly. 

"  I  can't  say  as  to  that.    I  haven't  missed  any. " 

"  I  wish  he  would  help  himself.  Of  course, 
he  would  be  discharged,  and  then  you  might 
find  a  place  for  me." 

61 1  may  do  so  yet." 

"Is  there  any  chance  of  it?"  asked  Felix, 
eagerly. 

"In  about  two  weeks,  Mr.  Fairchild  is  going 
West  on  business.  He  will  be  gone  for  a 


Chester  Rand.  131 

month,  probably.  In  his  absence,  I  shall  run 
the  office." 

"I  see." 

"  And  I  shall  probably  find  some  reason  for 
discharging  Chester  Rand,"  added  the  book 
keeper,  significantly.  "  In  that  case,  you  will 
hold  yourself  ready  to  slip  into  his  place." 

''Bully  for  you,  Cousin  David,"  exclaimed 
Felix,  in  exultation. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

MR.  FAIRCHILD  LEAVES  THE  CITY. 

ABOUT  ten  days  later,  Chester  found  himself 
alone  in  the  office  with  his  employer,  the  book 
keeper  having  gone  out  to  call  upon  a  man  who 
had  commissioned  the  broker  to  buy  him  a 
house. 

"Chester,"  said  Mr.  Fairchild,  "has  Mr. 
Mullins  mentioned  to  you  that  I  start  next 
Monday  on  a  Western  trip?  " 

"  I  heard  him  say  so  to -a  gentleman  in  here 
on  business." 

"  I  shall  have  to  leave  Mr.  Mulling  to  take 
charge  of  the  office  and  run  the  business.  The 
time  was  when  I  would  have  done  so  with 
confidence,  but  the  affair  of  James  Long  has 
made  me  distrustful.  He  thoroughly  under- 


132  Chester  Rand. 

stands  my  business,  and  it  would  be  difficult 
for  me  to  supply  his  place.  For  the  present, 
therefore,  I  feel  obliged  to  retain  him.  During 
my  absence,  however,  I  wish,  if  you  see  any 
thing  wrong,  that  you  would  apprise  me  of  it 
by  letter.  You  may  direct  letters  to  Palmer's 
Hotel,  Chicago,  and  they  will  be  forwarded  to 
me  from  there.  What  is  your  address?  " 

Chester  gave  it,  and  Mr.  Fairchild  wrote  it 
down. 

"  It  is  rather  unusual,"  continued  Mr.  Fair- 
child,  "  for  a  man  in  my  position  to  make  a 
confidant  of  his  office  boy,  but  I  have  observed 
you  carefully,  and  I  believe  that  you  are  not 
only  intelligent,  but  are  faithful  to  my  inter 
ests.'7 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  said  Chester,  with  genu 
ine  gratification.  "  I  think  I  can  promise  you 
that  you  will  not  be  disappointed  in  me." 

"  Of  course  Mr.  Mullins  must  not  know  of 
the  understanding  between  us.  Don't  breathe 
a  hint  of  what  I  have  said." 

"  No,  sir,  I  will  not." 

"  In  case  you  think  it  necessary  you  may 
telegraph  to  me.  I  hope,  however,  that  no  such 
emergency  will  arise." 

Chester  asked  himself  whether  it  was  his 
duty  to  apprise  Mr.  Fairchild  of  his  seeing 
Mullins  in  intimate  companionship  with  a 
gambler,  but,  on  the  whole,  decided  not  to  do 
so.  He  did  not  wish  needlessly  to  prejudice 
his  employer  against  the  bookkeeper. 


Chester  Rand.  133 

On  Monday  morning  Mr.  Fairchild  left  the 
office  and  took  the  Sixth  Avenue  Elevated 
train  to  Cortlandt  Street  station,  from  which 
it  is  only  five  minutes'  walk  to  the  ferry  con 
necting  with  the  train  on  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad. 

"  How  long  shall  you  be  away,  Mr.  Fair- 
child?  "  asked  the  bookkeeper. 

"  I  cannot  yet  tell.  It  will  depend  on  the 
success  I  meet  with  in  my  business.  I  am 
afraid  I  may  be  absent  four  weeks." 

"  Don't  hurry  back,"  said  Mullins.  "  I  will 
keep  things  running." 

"  I  rely  upon  your  fidelity,"  said  the  broker, 
not  without  significance. 

"  You  may  be  assured  of  that.  I  have  been 
in  your  employ  for  over  five  years." 

"  And  of  course  understand  all  the  details  of 
my  business.  That  is  true.  Continue  faithful 
to  me  and  you  will  have  no  cause  to  repent  it." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  You  need  have  no  anxi 
ety." 

"  Chester,"  said  Mr.  Fairchild,  "  you  may  go 
with  me  as  far  as  the  station  and  carry  my 
grip." 

When  they  were  outside,  the  broker  said : 

"  I  could  have  carried  the  grip  myself,  but  I 
wished  to  have  a  parting  word  with  you.  Mr. 
Mullins  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  my 
business,  but  within  the  last  six  months  I 
found  myself  distrusting  him.  In  four  weeks, 
for  I  shall  be  likely  to  be  away  that  length  of 


134  Chester  Rand. 

time,  something  may  occur  detrimental  to  my 
interests,  and  I  heartily  wish  I  had  some  one 
pise  in  charge.  I  may  rely  upon  you  bearing  in 
mind  what  I  told  you  the  other  day?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  won't  forget." 

"  I  know  that  you  are  faithful,  and  I  only 
wish  you  understood  the  business  well  enough 
to  be  placed  in  charge." 

"  I  wish  so,  too,"  said  Chester,  frankly. 

"  I  think,  however,"  Mr.  Fairchild  added, 
with  a  smile,  "  that  it  would  be  hardly  prudent 
to  trust  my  business  to  an  office  boy." 

"  You  are  already  trusting  me  very  much, 
Mr.  Fairchild." 

"  Yes ;  I  feel  safe  in  doing  so." 

Chester  took  the  grip  up  the  Elevated  stair 
way  and  parted  with  Mr.  Faiachild  at  the 
ticket  office. 

As  he  went  down  to  the  street  he  reflected 
that  his  own  position  during  the  broker's  ab 
sence  might  not  be  very  comfortable.  Still  he 
had  his  employer's  confidence,  and  that  gave 
him  much  pleasure. 

He  had  reached  Harris'  large  store  on  his 
way  home  when  a  rakish-looking  figure,  spring 
ing  from  he  knew  not  where,  overtook  and 
touched  him  on  the  arm.  Chester  immediately 
recognized  him  as  the  gambler  with  whom  he 
had  seen  the  bookkeeper  walking  on  the  eve 
ning  of  his  first  visit  to  the  house  of  Prof. 
Hazlitt 

"  I   say,   boy,"   said   Ralston,   "  you're  em- 


Chester  Rand.  1,35 

ployed  by  Fairchild,  the  real  estate  man,  ain't 
you?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Chester,  coldly. 

"  Didn't  I  see  him  going  to  the  Elevated  sta 
tion  with  you  just  now?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  With  a  grip  in  his  hand?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Is  he  off  for  a  journey?  " 

"  He  has  started  for  the  West." 

"So?  I  had  business  with  him,  but  I  sup- 
pose  I  can  transact  it  with  Muliins  just  as 
well." 

"  You  will  find  him  in  the  office." 

"  All  right !    I'll  go  there." 

Chester  turned  his  glance  upon  Dick  Ral 
ston  and  rapidly  took  note  of  his  appearance. 
He  was  rather  a  stocky  man,  with  a  red,  pim 
pled  face,  a  broad  nose,  small,  twinkling  eyes 
and  intensely  black  hair.  He  wore  a  "  loud," 
striped  sack  suit,  and  on  one  of  his  pudgy 
fingers  was  a  diamond  ring.  It  was  really  a 
diamond,  and  he  had  often  found  it  service 
able.  When  he  was  in  very  bad  luck  he 
pawned  it  for  a  comfortable  sum,  but  invari 
ably  redeemed  it  when  fortune  smiled  upon 
him  again. 

He  followed  Chester  into  the  broker's  office. 
Muliins  sat  on  a  stool  at  the  desk,  picking  his 
teeth.  He  looked  like  a  man  of  leisure,  with 
little  upon  his  mind. 

"  Hello,  Muliins,  old  boy !  "  said  Dick,  push- 


136  Chester  Rand. 

ing  forward  with  extended  hand.  "  So  you're 
promoted  to  boss?" 

"  Yes/'  answered  the  bookkeeper,  showing 
his  teeth  in  a  complacent  smile.  "  Can  I  sell 
you  a  house  this  morning?  " 

"  Well,  not  exactly.  I'm  not  quite  up  to  that 
in  the  present  state  of  my  funds.  If  you  have 
on  your  list  a  one-story  shanty  on  the  rocks 
near  Central  Park  I  may  invest." 

"  Cash  down,  or  do  you  want  to  have  part  of 
the  purchase  money  on  mortgage?  " 

Then  both  laughed,  and  Ralston  made  a 
playful  dig  at  Mullins'  ribs. 

Chester  could  not  help  hearing  the  conversa 
tion.  He  saw  in  it  a  proof  of  the  friendly  re 
lations  between  the  two.  This,  so  far  as  he 
knew,  was  the  first  visit  made  by  Ralston  to 
Mr.  Mullins.  It  was  clear  that  the  bookkeeper 
felt  that  such  a  caller  would  injure  him  in  the 
eyes  of  Mr.  Fairchild. 

"  I  am  glad  old  Fairchild  is  gone/'  said  Dick 
Ralston,  lowering  his  tone.  "  Now  I  can  come 
in  freely." 

"  Don't  come  in  too  often,"  replied  Mullins, 
with  a  cautioning  look  at  Chester.  "  It 
might " 

Chester  lost  the  rest  of  the  sentence. 

"  Send  him  out ! "  suggested  Dick,  in  a  still 
lower  tone,  but  Chester  caught  the  words. 

"  Chester,"  said  the  bookkeeper,  "  you  may 
go  up  to  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  and  ask  at 


Chester  Rand.  137 

the  office  if  Mr.  Paul  Perkins,  of  Minneapolis, 
has  arrived?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

After  Chester  went  out,  Ealston  inquired, 
"  Is  there  a  man  named  Paul  Perkins?  " 

"  Not  that  I  know  of,"  answered  Mullins, 
with  a  laugh. 

"  I  see.  You're  a  sharp  fellow.  You  only 
wanted  to  get  rid  of  the  kid." 

"  Exactly.    Now  we  can  talk  freely." 

"  That's  what  I  came  about.  Do  you  know, 
Mullins,  you  are  owing  me  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars?  " 

"Is  it  so  much  as  that?"  asked  the  book 
keeper,  anxiously. 

"  Yes ;  I  can  show  you  the  account.  Now,  to 
tell  you  the  truth,  Mullins,  I'm  in  a  tight  fix, 
and  my  bank  account  needs  replenishing." 

"  So  does  mine,"  returned  Mullins,  with  a 
sickly  smile. 

Dick  Ealston  frowned  slightly. 

"  No  joking,  please ! "  he  said,  roughly. 
"  I'm  in  earnest." 

"  I  don't  see  what  I  jam  going  to  do  about  it," 
muttered  Mullins,  defiantly. 

"  Don't  you.  Then  perhaps  I  can  help  you 
by  a  suggestion." 

"  I  wish  you  would." 

"  You  are  left  in  charge  here  during  Mr. 
Fairchild's  absence?  " 

"  Well,  suppose  I  am." 

"And  you  handle  the  funds?" 


Chester  RandL 

"  Yes." 

"  Then,"  and  Dick  Ralston  bent  over  and 
whispered  something  in  the  bookkeeper's  ear. 

Mullins  started,  and  looked  agitated. 

"  What  would  you  have  me  do? "  he  in 
quired. 

"  Borrow  a  little  money  from  the  office/' 
answered  Dick,  coolly. 

"  But,  good  heavens,  man,  it  would  ruin  me. 
Must  you  have  me  risk  prison?  " 

"  Don't  be  alarmed !  I  only  want  you  to 
borrow  two  or  three  hundred  dollars.  You  can 
return  it  before  Fairchild  gets  back." 

"  How  am  I  to  return  it?  " 

"  You  can  win  it  back  in  one  evening  at  the 
gaming  table." 

"  Or  lose  more." 

There  was  considerable  further  conversa 
tion,  Dick  Kalston  urging,  and  Mullins  feebly 
opposing  something  which  the  gambler  pro 
posed.  Then  a  customer  came  in,  who  had  to 
receive  attention.  Inside  of  an  hour  Chester 
re-entered  the  office,  accompanied  by  a  sandy- 
complexioned  stranger,  his  head  covered  with 
a  broad,  flapping,  Western  sombrero,  and 
wearing  a  long,  brown  beard  descending  at 
least  eighteen  inches. 

"  I  hear  you  want  to  see  me,"  he  said  to  Mul 
lins. 

"  Who  are  you?  "  asked  the  astonished  book 
keeper. 


Chester  Rand.  139 

"  I  am  Paul  Perkins,  of  Minneapolis,"  was 
the  surprising  reply. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

PAUL  PERKINS,  OF  MINNEAPOLIS. 

IF  a  bomb  had  exploded  in  the  office  David 
Mullins  and  his  friend  Ralston  could  not  have 
been  more  astonished  than  by  the  appearance 
of  Paul  Perkins,  whose  name  was  invented 
without  the  slightest  idea  that  any  such  person 
existed. 

Before  relating  what  followed,  a  word  of 
explanation  is  necessary. 

Chester  went  to  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel 
without  the  slightest  suspicion  that  he  had 
been  sent  on  a  fool's  errand.  He  imagined,  in 
deed,  that  Mr.  Mullins  wanted  to  get  rid  of 
him,  but  did  not  doubt  that  there  was  such  a 
man  as  Paul  Perkins,  and  that  he  was  ex 
pected  to  arrive  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel. 

He  walked  up  Broadway  in  a  leisurely  man 
ner,  feeling  that  his  hasty  return  was  not  de 
sired.  He  reached  the  Fifth  Avenue,  and  en 
tering — it  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever  visited 
the  hotel — went  up  to  the  desk. 

The  clerk  was  giving  instructions  to  a  bell 
boy,  who  was  directed  to  carry  a  visitor's  card 
to  No.  221.  When  at  leisure,  Chester  asked : 


140  Chester  Rand. 

'•  fins  Mi\  Paul  Perkins,  of  Minneapolis,  ar 
rived  at  thebotel?" 

The  clerk  looked  over  the  list  of  arrivals. 
Finally  his  forefinger  stopped  at  an  entry  on 
the  book. 

"  Yes,"  he  answered,  "  he  arrived  last  eve 
ning.  Did  you  wish  to  see  him?" 

About  this  Chester  was  in  doubt.  He  had 
only  been  asked  to  inquire  if  Mr.  Perkins  had 
arrived.  He  assumed,  howrever,  that  the  book 
keeper  wished  to  see  Mr.  Perkins  at  the  office. 
Accordingly  he  answered,  "  Yes,  sir.  I  should 
like  to  see  him." 

The  clerk  rang  a  bell  and  another  bell  boy 
made  his  appearance. 

"  Write  your  name  on  a  card,"  said  the 
clerk,  "  and  I  will  send  it  up." 

"  The  gentleman  won't  know  my  name,"  said 
Chester. 

"  Then  give  the  name  of  your  firm." 

So  Chester,  after  slight  hesitation,  wrote : 

"  Chester  Rand.  From  Clement  Fairchild, 
Real  Estate  Broker." 

"  Take  that  up  to  169,"  said  the  clerk  to  the 
bell  boy. 

In  five  minutes  the  boy  returned. 

"  Mr.  Perkins  says  you  are  to  come  upstairs 
to  his  room,"  he  reported. 

Chester  followed  the  bell  boy  to  the  elevator. 

He  had  never  before  ridden  in  such  a  con 
veyance  and  the  sensation  was  a  novel  one. 
They  got  off  at  one  of  the  upper  floors,  and 


Chester  Rand.  141 

Chester  followed  his  guide  to  the  door  of  a 
room  near  by. 

The  bell  boy  knocked. 

"  Come  in,"  was  heard  from  the  inside. 

Chester  entered  and  found  himself  in  the 
presence  of  a  man  of  fifty,  with  a  sandy  com 
plexion  and  thick,  brown  beard.  He  held  the 
card  in  his  hand,  and  was  looking  at  it. 

"Are  you  Chester  Band?"  he  asked,  in  a 
high-pitched  voice. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"And  you  come  from  Clement  Fairchild?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  This  is  very  curious.  I  never  heard  the 
name  before." 

Chester  looked  surprised. 
"  I  can't  explain  it,  sir,"  he  said.     "  I  was 
asked  to  come  to  the  hotel  and  ask  if  you  had 
arrived." 

"Where  is  Mr.  FairchihTs  office?" 

"  On  West  Fourteenth  Street." 

"  And  he  is  a  real  estate  broker?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  don't  understand  what  he  wants  of  me, 
or  how  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  curious  he 
ever  heard  of  me.  I  don't  own  any  real  estate, 
except  a  three-story  house  in  which  I  live." 

"  Perhaps,  sir,  if  you  will  go  to  the  office 
with  me  you  will  get  an  explanation." 

"  Precisely.  That  is  a  very  practical  and 
sensible  suggestion.  Is  it  far  off?  I  ask  be 
cause  I  have  never  been  in  New  York  before." 


142  Chester  Rand 

"  It  is  only  about  ten  minutes'  walk." 

"  Then  I'll  go  with  you,  that  is,  if  you  can 
wait  fifteen  minutes  while  I  finish  writing  a 
letter  to  my  wife,  apprising  her  of  my  safe  ar 
rival." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  am  in  no  especial  hurry." 

"  Then  sit  down,  and — you  may  look  at 
this,"  handing  him  the  last  copy  of  Puck. 

Chester  opened  the  paper  eagerly,  for  Puck 
had  'accepted  two  of  his  sketches.  He  opened 
it  at  random,  and  his  eye  lighted  up,  for  there 
was  one  of  the  two  sketches  handsomely  repro 
duced.  He  uttered  a  little  exclamation. 

"What  have  you  found?"  asked  Paul  Per 
kins,  looking  up  from  his  letter. 

"  This  picture — is  one  of  mine." 

"  You  don't  mean  it !  "  exclaimed  the  man 
from  Minneapolis,  dropping  his  pen  in  sur 
prise.  "  I  thought  you  were  an  office  boy." 

"  So  I  am,  sir,  but — sometimes  I  sell 
sketches  to  the  illustrated  papers." 

"  What  did  you  get  for  this?  " 

"  Seven  dollars  and  a  half.  That  is,  I  sold 
this  and  another  for  fifteen  dollars." 

"  Bv  the  great  horn  spoon !  but  this  is  won 
derful." 

Chester  did  not  feel  called  upon  to  say  any 
thing. 

"  How  long  did  it  take  you  to  draw  this 
picture?  " 

"  A  little  over  half  an  hour." 

"  Jerusalem !  that  is  at  the  rate  of  ten  dol- 


Chester  Rand,  143 

lars  an  hour.  I  am  contented  to  make  ten  dol 
lars  a  day." 

"  So  should  I  be,  sir.  I  don't  draw  all  the 
time,"  said  Chester,  with  a  smile. 

"  I  was  going  to  ask  if  you  wouldn't  give  me 
lessons  in  drawing  and  sketching." 

"  I  should  be  afraid  to,  sir,"  laughed  Ches 
ter.  "  You  might  prove  a  dangerous  rival." 

"  You  needn't  be  afraid.  I  can  play  as  well 
as  I  can  sing." 

"  I  suppose  you  sing  well,  sir,"  said  Chester, 
roguishly. 

"  You  can  judge.  When  I  was  a  young  man 
I  thought  I  would  practice  singing  a  little  in 
my  room  one  night.  The  next  morning  my 
landlady  said,  in  a  tone  of  sympathy,  '  I  heard 
you  groaning  last  night,  Mr.  Perkins.  Did 
you  have  the  toothache? ' 

Chester  burst  into  a  hearty  laugh. 

"If  that  is  the  case,"  he  said,  "  I  won't  be 
afraid  of  you  as  a  rival  in  drawing." 

Mr.  Perkins  set  himself  to  finishing  his  let 
ter,  and  in  twenty  minutes  it  was  done. 

"  Now,  I  am  ready,'7  he  said. 

As  they  went  downstairs,  Chester  observed, 
"  I  will  ask  you  as  a  favor,  Mr.  Perkins,  not  to 
refer  to  my  work  in  Puck,  as  it  is  not  known 
;at  the  office  that  I  do  any  work  outside." 

"  All  right,  my  boy.  By  the  way,  how  much 
»do  they  pay  you  at  the  office?  " 

"  Five  dollars  a  week." 


144  Chester  Rand. 

"  Evidently  it  isn't  as  good  a  business  as 
drawing." 

"No,  sir;  but  it  is  more  reliable.  I  can't 
always  satisfy  the  comic  papers,  and  I  am 
likely  to  have  sketches  left  on  my  hands." 

"  Yes ;  that  is  a  practical  way  of  looking  at 
it,  and  shows  that  you  are  a  boy  of  sense. 
What  sort  of  a  man  is  Mr.  Fairchild?  " 

"  A  very  kind,  considerate  man,  but  I  forgot 
to  say  that  you  won't  see  him." 

"  But  I  thought  he  sent  you  to  call  on  me?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  Mr.  Fairchild  started  for  the  West 
this  morning.  It  was  Mr.  Mullins,  the  book 
keeper,  who  sent  me." 

"  That  complicates  the  mystery.  Is  he  a 
good  friend  of  yours?  " 

"  No,  sir;  he  dislikes  me." 

Mr.  Perkins  looked  curious,  and  Chester, 
considerably  to  his  own  surprise,  confided  to 
him  the  story  of  his  relations  with  the  book 
keeper. 

"  He's  a  scamp! "  commented  the  man  from 
Minneapolis.  "  Why  does  Mr.  Fairchild  keep 
him.  I  wouldn't !  I'd  bounce  him  very  quick." 

"  He  has  been  with  Mr.  Fairchild  five  years 
and  understands  his  business  thoroughly." 

"Well,  there  is  something  in  that;  but  I 
wouldn't  like  to  have  in  my  employ  a  man 
whom  I  couldn't  trust.  Have  you  ever  been 
out  West?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  You  ought  to  come  out  there.    The  city  I 


Chester  Rand.  145 

represent  is  a  smart  one  and  no  mistake.  Of 
course  you've  heard  of  the  rivalry  between 
Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  don't  take  sides,  for  I  live  in  both,  but  I 
think  business  facilities  in  Minneapolis  are 
greater.  I  think  you  are  a  boy  who  would  suc 
ceed  at  the  West." 

"  I  should  like  to  go  there  some  day.  I  own 
some  property  in  Washington  Territory." 

"  You  do? "  exclaimed  Paul  Perkins,  in 
great  surprise.  "  Whereabouts?  " 

"  In  Tacoma.     I  own  some  lots  there." 

"  Then  let  me  tell  you,  my  boy,  that  you  will 
be  a  rich  man." 

"  But  I  thought  prices  of  land  in  Tacoma 
were  small." 

"  So  they  are — at  present ;  but  it  is  the 
future  terminus  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Rail 
road.  When  it  is  completed  there  will  be  a 
boom.  How  many  lots  do  you  own?  " 

"  Five." 

"  Take  my  advice  and  hold  on  to  them. 
Wrhat  square  is  this?  " 

They  had  reached  Seventeenth  Street. 

"  Union  Square." 

"  It's  a  pretty  place.  Is  Tiffany's  near 
here?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  only  two  blocks  away.  We  shall 
pass  it." 

"  All  right !  Point  it  out  to  me.  I'm  going 
to  buy  a  gold  watch  for  myself  there.  I've 


146  Chester  Rand. 

needed  one  for  a  long  time,  but  I  wanted  the 
satisfaction  of  buying  one  at  Tiffany's.  Any 
thing  that  is  sold  there  must  be  A  No.  1." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  but  I  don't  trade 
there  much  yet." 

"  No ;  you  must  wait  till  you  have  realized 
on  your  Western  lots." 

They  turned  down  Fourteenth  Street,  and 
soon  stood  in  front  of  Mr.  Fairchild's  office. 
They  entered,  and  this  brings  us  to  the  point 
where  the  last  chapter  ends. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

MR.   PERKINS  MAKES  AN  ACQUAINTANCE. 

DICK  RALSTON  and  the  bookkeeper  stared  at 
their  Western  friend  in  undisguised  amaze 
ment.  Finally  Mr.  Mullins  said,  "  What  did  I 
understand  you  to  call  yourself?  " 

"  Paul  Perkins,  of  Minneapolis." 

"  And — you  are  staying  at  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel?" 

"  Certainly.  Didn't  you  send  this  boy  with 
a  message?"  said  Mr.  Perkins,  rather  im 
patiently. 

"  Ye-es." 

"  How  did  you  know  that  I  was  coming  to 
New  York?  That's  what  beats  me." 

Mullins  began  to  appreciate  the  situation 


Chester  Rand.  147 

he  was  cudgeling  his  brains  for  an  expla 
nation.  Finally  one  came. 

"  I  may  be  misinformed,  but  I  learned  from 
a  friend  of  yours  that  you  were  coming  here 
with  an  intention  of  locating  in  our  city. 
Now,  as  we  are  in  the  real  estate  business,  I 
thought  we  would  offer  our  services  to  find 
you  a  suitable  house." 

"  Some  friend  of  mine  notified  you  of  my 
coming  to  New  York?  Why,  I  started  off  on 
a  sudden  without  consulting  anyone.  I  don't 
see  how  anyone  could  give  you  the  informa 
tion." 

"  I  won't  undertake  to  explain  it,"  said  the 
bookkeeper.  "  I  will  only  say  that  I  am  glad 
to  meet  you." 

"  Thank  you !  You  are  very  polite.  What 
was  the  name  of  the  friend  who  spoke  about 
me  and  my  plans?  " 

"  I  have  a  poor  memory  for  names,  but  I  be 
lieve  I  have  the  gentleman's  card  in  my  desk." 

He  opened  the  desk  and  made  an  elaborate 
search  for  what  he  knew  he  should  not  find. 

"  It's  no  use,"  he  said,  after  a  pause.  "  It's 
disappeared." 

"  What  was  the  appearance  of  the  person?  " 
persisted  Mr.  Perkins. 

"  He  was — tall,  and — yes,  with  a  dark  com 
plexion  and — and  side  whiskers." 

"About  how  old?" 

"  I  should  say  about  forty." 

"  I  know  plenty  of  people  answering  that 


148  Chester  Rand. 

description.  But  how  did  he  happen  to  call 
on  you?  " 

"  There  you  have  me.  He  had  some  business 
with  Mr.  Fairchild,  and  unfortunately  Mr.  F. 
started  West  this  morning." 

"  I  see.  I  can  get  no  clew  to  the  mystery. 
However,  I  am  glad  to  have  made  the  acquaint 
ance  of  this  young  man,"  indicating  Chester. 

"  Oh,  you  mean  our  office  boy/'  returned 
Mullins,  coldly. 

Just  then  Dick  Ealston  nudged  the  book 
keeper. 

"  Introduce  me,"  he  said,  sotto  voce. 

The  bookkeeper  did  not  incline  favorably  to 
this  request,  but  did  not  dare  to  refuse.  Dick 
Ralston's  appearance  was  decidedly  against 
him,  and  his  "  loud "  attire  was  in  keeping 
with  his  face  and  manners. 

"  Mr.  Perkins,"  said  Mullins,  "  allow  me  to 
introduce  my  friend,  Mr.  Ralston." 

"  Glad  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Ralston,"  said  the 
man  from  Minneapolis,  extending  his  hand, 
which  Dick  seized  and  pressed  warmly. 

"  Proud  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Mr. 
Perkins,"  rejoined  the  gambler.  "  I  always 
did  like  Western  people." 

"  Thank  you.  I  am  not  Western  by  birth, 
though  I  went  out  to  Minnesota  when  I  was  a 
mere  boy." 

"  And  I  have  no  doubt  you  have  prospered," 
said  Ralston,  who  was  really  anxious  to  learn 


Chester  Rand.  ^49 

whether  Mr.  Perkins  was  well  provided  with 
money  and  was  worth  fleecing. 

"  Well,  I  don't  complain,"  answered  Per 
kins,  in  a  matter-of-fact  tone. 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  pay  you  any  attentions," 
insinuated  Ralston. (  "  I  know  the  ropes  pretty 
well,  and  I  flatter  myself  I  can  show  you  the 
town  as  well  as  anyone,  eh,  Mullins?" 

"  Oh,  yes,"  assented  the  bookkeeper,  not  over 
cordially. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  Mr.  Ralston,  and  I 
take  your  offer  kindly,  but  I  am  afraid  I  won't 
have  time  to  go  round  much." 

"  Won't  you  go  out  and  take  a  drink?  Mul 
lins,  you  go,  too !  " 

"  Thank  you,  but  I  don't  drink — at  any  rate, 
when  I  am  away  from  home.  By  the  way, 
Mr.—  "  and  he  stopped  short,  for  he  did  not 
remember  the  bookkeeper's  name. 

"  Mr.  Mullins,"  suggested  that  gentleman. 

"  You  are  misinformed  about  my  wanting 
to  locate  in  this  city.  New  York's  a  right 
smart  place,  I  admit,  but  give  me  Minneapolis. 
That  suits  me." 

"  All  right,  sir.  I  am  misinformed,  that's 
all." 

"  If  you  find  my  friend's  card  just  write  and 
let  me  know  his  name.  I'd  like  to  know  who 
it  is  that  knows  so  much  about  my  plans." 

"  I  will.    Where  shall  I  direct?  " 

"  Oh,  just  direct  tp  Minneapolis.     I'm  well 


i£c  Chester  Hand. 

known  there.  A  letter  will  be  sure  to  reach 
me." 

"  Shall  you  be  at  the  hotel  this  evening,  Mr. 
Perkins?  "  added  Dick  Ralston,  who  found  it 
hard  to  give  up  his  design  upon  his  new  ac 
quaintance. 

"  I  don't  know.    I  haven't  made  any  plans." 

"  I  was  thinking  I  might  call  upon  you." 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself,  Mr.  Ralston. 
Probably  you  would  not  find  me  in." 

Mr.  Perkins  was  a  tolerably  shrewd  man. 
He  had  "  sized  up  "  the  gambler,  and  decided 
that  he  did  not  care  to  become  any  better  ac 
quainted  with  him. 

"  Just  as  you  say,"  returned  Dick  Ralston, 
looking  discomfited.  "  I  thought  perhaps  I 
could  make  it  pleasant  for  you." 

"  If  I  find  I  have  time  I  can  call  at  your 
place  of  business,"  said  the  man  from  Minne 
apolis,  writh  a  shrewd  glance  at  the  gambler. 

"  I  -have  no  place  of  business,"  returned  Ral 
ston,  rather  awkwardly.  "  I  am  a — a  capi 
talist,  and  sometimes  speculate  in  real  estate. 
Don't  I,  Mulling?  " 

"Of  course.  By  the  way,  I  forgot  to  tell 
you  that  I  have  four  lots  on  Ninety-sixth 
Street  which  would  make  a  good  investment." 

"  Ninety-sixth  Street !  Ahem,  rather  far  up 
town.  What's  the  figure?  » 

"  Five  thousand  dollars." 

"  I'll  take  a  look  at  them  as  soon  as  I  have 
time.  You  see,  Mr.  Eerkins.  I  do  all  my  real 


Chester  Rand.  151 

estate  business  through  my  friend,  Mr.  Mul 
ling." 

"  Just  so." 

Neither  Mr.  Perkins  nor  Chester  was  taken 
in  by  Ralston's  assumption  of  the  character  of 
a  capitalist.  The  Western  man  had  already  a 
shrewd  suspicion  of  the  gambler's  real  busi 
ness,  and  being  a  cautious  and  prudent  man, 
did  not  care  to  cultivate  him. 

"  Good-morning !  "  said  Mr.  Perkins.  "  I 
must  not  take  up  any  more  of  your  time.  Will 
you  allow  Chester  to  go  out  with  me  for  five 
minutes?  " 

"  Certainly." 

"  David  Mullins  would  have  liked  to  refuse, 
but  had  no  good  excuse  for  doing  so. 

"  Don't  stay  long !  "  he  said,  rather  sharply. 

"  I  won't  keep  him  long." 

When  they  were  in  the  street  Mr.  Perkins 
said :'"  I  don't  like  the  looks  of  that  bookkeeper 
of  yours." 

"  Nor  do  I,"  returned  Chester. 

"  I  wouldn't  trust  him  any  further  than  I 
could  see  him.  Who  was  that  Ralston?  Have 
you  ever  seen  him  before?  " 

"  Once.  He  doesn't  come  into  the  office 
when  Mr.  Fairchild  is  at  home." 

"Do  you  know  anything  about  him?" 

"  I  know — that  is,  I  have  heard  that  he  is  a 
well-known  gambler." 

"  By  the  great  horn  spoon,  if  I  didn't  think 


152  Chester  Rand. 

so !  He  seemed  very  anxious  to  show  me  round 
the  city." 

"  He  would  probably  have  taken  you  to  a 
gambling  house." 

"  Not  if  I  was  in  my  senses.  I  don't  gamble, 
and  I  hope  you  don't." 

"  T  shouldn't  know  how,"  answered  Chester, 
with  a  smile. 

"  Have  you  any  engagement  for  this  eve 
ning?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  What  time  do  you  leave  the  office?  " 

"  At  five  o'clock." 

"  Then  come  round  to  the  hotel  and  take 
dinner  with  me.  I  don't  know  anyone  in  the 
city,  and  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your  company 
this  evening.  We  will  take  a  walk  together, 
and  you  can  show  me  what's  worth  seeing." 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  that  I  will  take  you  to 
a  gambling  house? "  asked  Chester,  with  a 
smile. 

"  I'll  risk  it." 

"  You  would  find  Mr.  Ralston  a  better 
guide." 

"  But  not  so  safe  a  one.  I  shall  be  satisfied 
with  you." 

When  Chester  returned  to  the  office  Mullins 
asked,  sharply :  "  What  did  Perkins  want  to 
say  to  you?" 

"  He  asked  me  to  dine  with  him  to-night  at 
the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel." 

"  Speak  a  good  word  for  me,  Chester,"  said 


Chester  Rand.  153 

Ralston,  with  unusual  affability.  "  I  would 
like  to  become  better  acquainted  with  him." 

«  What  shall  I  say,  Mr.  Ralston?  " 

"  Tell  him  I  am  a  prominent  man,  and  ex 
pect  to  be  nominated  for  Congress  next  fall." 

This  he  said  with  a  wink.  Chester  and  the 
bookkeeper  laughed. 

"  I'll  tell  him,"  said  Chester. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
DICK  RALSTON'S  FATHER. 

WHEN  Chester  followed  Mr.  Perkins  into 
the  great  dining  room  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  he 
was  rather  dazzled  by  its  size  and  the  glisten 
ing  appearance  of  the  tables. 

"  I  hope  you  have  brought  your  appetite 
with  you,  Chester,"  said  his  Western  friend. 
"  The  Fifth  Avenue  sets  a  good  table." 

"  My  appetite  is  sure  to  be  good.  I  was  kept 
so  busy  to-day  that  I  had  hardly  time  to  buy 
a  sandwich  for  lunch." 

"  All  the  better !  You'll  enjoy  your  meal. 
As  for  me,  I  don't  have  the  appetite  I  do  at 
home.  There's  nothing  like  a  tramp  on  the- 
open  prairie  to  make  a  man  feel  peckish." 

"  Have  you  ever  been  in  New  York  before, 
Mr.  Perkins?" 

"  Not  since  I  was  a  boy.  I  was  born  up  Al 
bany  way,  and  came  here  when  I  was  about 


154  Chester  Rand 

your  age.  But,  Lord,  the  New  York  of  that 
day  wasn't  a  circumstance  to  what  it  is  now. 
There  was  no  Elevated  railroad  then,  nor  horse 
cars  either,  for  that  matter,  and  where  this 
hotel  stands  there  was  a  riding  school  or  some 
thing  of  that  sort." 

"  Are  you  going  to  stay  here  long?  " 

"  I  go  to  Washington  to-morroAV,  stopping 
at  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  on  the  way. 
No.  I  have  no  business  in  Washington,  but  I 
think  by  the  time  a  man  is  fifty  odd  he  ought 
to  see  the  capital  of  his  country.  I  shall  shake 
hands  with  the  President,  too,  if  I  find  him  at 
home." 

"  Have  you  ever  been  further  West  than 
Minneapolis?  " 

"  Yes,  I  have  been  clear  out  to  the  Pacific. 
I've  seen  the  town  of  Tacoma,  where  you've 
got  five  lots.  I  shall  write  out  to  a  friend  in 
Portland  to  buy  me  as  many.  Then  we  shall 
both  have  an  interest  there." 

"  You  think  the  lots  are  worth  something?  " 

"  I  know  it.  When  the  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad  is  finished,  every  dollar  your  friend 
spent  for  his  lots  will  be  worth  thirty  or  forty." 

"  I  hope  your  predictions  will  come  true, 
Mr.  Perkins." 

"  Did  I  hear  you  speaking  of  Tacoma? " 
asked  a  gentleman  on  Chester's  left  hand. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  can  tell  you  something  about  it.  I  live 
at  Seattle." 


Chester  Rand,  155 

"  Am  I  right  about  there  being  a  future  f©r 
the  place?  "  asked  Paul  Perkins. 

"  You  are.  I  may  say  that  lots  there  are 
already  worth  twice  what  they  were  last 
week." 

"How's  that?" 

"  Because  work  on  the  railroad  has  been  re 
sumed,  and  there  is  no  doubt  now  that  it  will 
be  pushed  to  completion." 

"  That  settles  it.  I  must  own  property 
there.  I  won't  wait  to  write,  but  will  tele 
graph  my  friend  in  Portland  to  go  there  at 
once  at  my  expense,  and  buy  five — no,  ten  lots. 
I  got  that  idea  from  you,  Chester,  and  if  I 
make  a  profit  I  shall  feel  indebted  to  you." 

"  I  shall  be  glad  if  it  helps  fill  your  pockets, 
Mr.  Perkins." 

"  Come  up  to  my  room  for  a  while,  Ches 
ter,"  went  on  the  other,  "  and  we  will  consider 
what  to  do.  We  might  go  to  the  theater,  but  I 
think  I  would  rather  walk  about  here  and  there 
using  my  eyes.  There  is  plenty  to  see  in  New 
York."  * 

"  That  will  suit  me,  Mr.  Perkins." 

About  eight  o'clock  the  two  went  down 
stairs.  Near  the  entrance,  just  inside  the 
hotel,  Chester  heard  himself  called  by  name. 

Looking  up,  he  recognized  Felix  Gordon. 

"  Are  you  going  to  the  theater,  Chester?  " 
asked  Felix. 

"  No,  I  think  not." 

"Won't  you  introduce  me  to  your  friend?" 


156  Chester  Rand. 

"  Mr.  Perkins,  this  is  Felix  Gordon,  nephew 
of  our  bookkeeper/7  said  Chester,  unwillingly. 

"  Hope  you  are  well,  Mr.  Gordon,"  said 
Paul.  "  Are  you  fond  of  the  theater?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Felix,  eagerly. 
"  There's  a  good  play  at  Palmer's.  I  think 
you'd  like  it." 

"  No  doubt,  but  I'd  rather  see  the  streets  of 
New  York.  As  you  are  a  friend  of  Chester, 
do  me  the  favor  to  buy  yourself  a  ticket,"  and 
Mr.  Perkins  drew  a  two-dollar  bill  from  his 
pocket  and  tendered  it  to  Felix. 

"  I  am  ever  so  much  obliged,"  said  Felix, 
effusively.  "  As  it  is  time  for  the  perform 
ance  to  commence,  I'll  go  at  once,  jf  you'll  ex 
cuse  me." 

"  Certainly.  You  don't  want  to  lose  the  be 
ginning  of  the  play." 

As  Felix  started  off  on  a  half  run,  Mr.  Per 
kins  said :  "  Do  you  know  why  I  was  so  polite 
to  Felix,  who  by  all  accounts  isn't  your  friend 
at  all?" 

"  No,  I  was  rather  puzzled." 

"  I  wanted  to  get  rid  of  him.  He  was  prob 
ably  sent  here  by  his  uncle  as  a  spy  upon  us. 
Now  he  is  disposed  of." 

"  I  see  you  are  shrewd,"  said  Chester, 
laughing. 

"  Yes,  I'm  a  little  foxy  when  there's  occa 
sion,"  rejoined  Mr.  Perkins.  "  Now,  where 
shall  we  go?  " 

I  will  not  undertake  to  describe  the  route 


Chester  Rand.  157 

followed  by  the  two.  The  city  was  pretty 
much  all  new  to  the  stranger  from  Minne 
apolis,  and  it  mattered  little  where  he  went. 

About  ten  o'clock  the  two  witnessed  from  a 
distance  a  scene  between  a  man  of  forty  and 
an  old,  infirm  man,  apparently  seventy  years 
of  age. 

"  The  younger  man  is  Ralston,  the  gambler," 
said  Chester,  in  excitement,  when  they  were 
near  enough  to  recognize  the  figures  of  the  two. 

"  Halt  a  minute,  and  let  us  hear  what  it  is 
all  about,"  returned  Mr.  Perkins. 

"  I  am  hungry,"  said  the  old  man,  pitifully, 
"  and  I  have  no  money  for  a  bed.  Have  pity  on 
me,  Dick,  and  give  me  something." 

"  You  ought  not  to  have  come  here,"  re 
turned  Ralston,  roughly.  "  Why  didn't  you 
stay  in  the  country,  where  you  had  a  comfort 
able  home?  " 

"  In  the  poorhouse,"  murmured  the  old  man, 
sadly. 

"  Well,  it's  no  worse  for  being  a  poorhouse, 
is  it?" 

"  But  is  it  right  for  me  to  live  there  when 
you  are  rich  and  prosperous?  " 

"  How  do  you  know  I  am  rich  and  prosper 
ous?  " 

"  By  your  dress.  And  there's  a  diamond  in 
your  shirt  bosom.  That  must  be  valuable." 

"  It's  about  all  I  own  that  is  valuable.  It 
was  a  fool's  errand  that  brought  you  here. 


15^  Chester  Rand. 

You  had  better  go  back,"  and  Ealston  pre 
pared  to  go  on. 

"  Won't  you  give  me  a  trifle,  Dick?  " 

"  Well,  take  that." 

"  A  quarter?  " 

"  Yes;  it  will  give  you  some  supper." 

"  But  what  shall  I  do  for  a  bed?  " 

"  Go  to  the  station  house.  They'll  take  in 
an  old  man  like  you." 

Before  the  aged  man  could  renew  his  appli 
cation  the  younger  one  had  disappeared  round 
the  corner  of  the  next  street. 

"  Follow  me,  Chester,"  said  Paul  Perkins. 
"  I'm  going  to  speak  to  the  old  man." 

He  touched  him  on  the  shoulder. 

"  Are  you  in  trouble,  my  friend?  "  he  asked. 

The  old  man,  looking  the  picture  of  despond 
ency  in  his  ragged  suit,  and  with  his  long,  gray 
locks  floating  over  his  shoulders,  turned  at  the 
words. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  he  said,  "  I  am  poor  and  in 
trouble,  and  my  heart  is  sore." 

"  Is  the  man  who  has  just  left  you  related  to 
you?" 

"  He  is  my  only  son." 

"  He  doesn't  seem  kind  to  you." 

"  No ;  he  cares  nothing  for  his  old  father." 

"  How  did  you  become  so  poor?  " 

"  He  is  the  cause.  When  he  was  turned 
twenty-one  I  was  worth  ten  thousand  dollars. 
He  forged  my  name,  more  than  once,  and  to 
save  him  I  paid  the  forged  notes.  So  it  hap- 


Chester  Rand.  159 

pened  that  I  was  turned  out  in  my  old  age 
from  the  farm  and  the  home  that  had  been 
mine  for  twenty-five  years,  and  in  the  end  I 
was  sent  to  the  poorhouse." 

"  Then  he  brought  all  this  upon  you?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Do  you  know  what  he  is  now?  " 

"  He  tells  me  he  is  in  business." 

"  His  business  is  carried  on  at  the  gambling 
house,  so  my  young  friend  here  assures  me. 
You  will  get  no  help  from  him." 

"  I  begin  to  think  so.  Perhaps  I  was  foolish 
to  leave  my  home,  poor  as  it  was,  and  come 
here  to  ask  help." 

"  How  much  money  will  take  you  home?  " 

"  Two  dollars." 

"  Here  is  a  ten-dollar  bill.  Take  it,  get  a 
meal  and  a  night's  lodging  and  in  the  morning 
start  for  home.  It  is  the  best  thing  you  can  do. 
As  for  your  son,  you  can  only  leave  him  to  his 
own  devices.  A  man  who  will  treat  his  old 
father  as  he  has  treated  you  will  never  pros 
per." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.    I  will  follow  your  advice." 

"  I  would  rather  be  in  your  position,  old  and 
poor  as  you  are,  than  in  his." 

"  Chester,"  added  Mr.  Perkins,  as  they 
walked  on,  "  this  Ralston  is  a  more  contempti 
ble  rascal  than  I  thought.  If  my  old  father 
were  living,  I  would  give  half  the  money  I 
possess.  While  I  had  a  dollar  in  my  pocket 
he  should  share  it" 


i6o  Chester  Rand. 

"  I  say  the  same,  Mr.  Perkins." 

When  they  reached  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel, 
Paul  Perkins  shook  hands  with  Chester. 

"  Good-night,"  he  said.  "  You  won't  see  me 
for  two  weeks,  perhaps,  but  I'll  be  sure  to  find 
you  out  when  I  return  to  the  city.  I  hope  you 
won't  have  any  trouble  with  that  scoundrel  in 
the  office." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Perkins,  but  I  am  afraid 
I  shall." 

"  Don't  mind  it  if  you  do.  Remember  that 
you  will  always  have  a  friend  in  Paul  Per 
kins." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CHESTER  IS  DISCHARGED. 

"  WELL,"  said  David  Mullins,  addressing  his 
cousin  Felix,  "  did  you  go  to  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel  last  evening?  " 

"  Yes,  Cousin  David." 

"  Did  you  see  that  man  from  Minneapolis 
and  Chester?  " 

«  yes." 

"Where  did  they  go?" 

"  I  don't  know." 

"You  don't  know?"  frowned  Mullins. 
"  And  why  not,  I  should  like  to  know?  " 

"  Because  I  went  to  Palmer's  Theater." 


Chester  Rand.  161 

"  So  that  is  the  way  you  spent  the  quarter 
I  gave  you?  "  exclaimed  the  bookkeeper,  in 
dignantly. 

"  I  couldn't  go  to  Palmer's  on  that." 

"  Did  you  go  with  them  ?  "  asked  Mulling, 
hopefully. 

"  No,  but  Mr.  Perkins  gave  me  money  to  go." 

"  What  made  him  do  it?  " 

"  He  thought  I  was  a  friend  of  Chester." 

"  How  much  did  he  give  you?  " 

"  I  occupied  a  dollar  seat,"  answered  Felix, 
noncommittally. 

He  did  not  care  to  mention  that  the  sum 
given  him  was  two  dollars,  half  of  which  he 
still  had  in  his  pocket. 

"  Humph !  so  he  gave  you  a  dollar.  Why 
didn't  you  take  it  and  stay  with  them?  " 

"  Because  he  gave  it  to  me  expressly  for  the 
theater.  It  would  have  looked  strange  if  I 
had  stayed  with  them  after  all." 

"  I  would  have  found  a  way,  but  you  are  not 
smart." 

Felix  did  not  make  any  reply,  being  content 
with  having  deceived  his  cousin  as  to  Mr. 
Perkins'  gift. 

"  I  say,  Cousin  David,  aren't  you  going  to 
bounce  that  boy  pretty  quick  and  give  me  his 
place?  " 

"  Yes,  as  soon  as  I  get  a  good  excuse." 

"Will  you  do  it  to-day?" 

"  No ;  it  would  look  strange.  You  may  be 
sure  I  won't  keep  him  long." 


1 02  Chester  Rand, 

At  this  point  Chester  came  into  the  office 
and  was  surprised  to  see  Mr.  Mullins  and  Felix 
already  there.  Usually  the  bookkeeper  did  not 
show  up  till  half  an  hour  later. 

"  Good-morning,"  said  Mullins,  smoothly. 
"  Did  you  dine  with  Mr.  Perkins  last  eve 
ning?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 
.  "  I  suppose  you  went  to  the  theater?  " 

"  No ;  Mr.  Perkins  preferred  to  take  a  walk, 
as  he  has  not  been  in  New  York  since  he  was  a 
boy.  Did  you  enjoy  the  play,  Felix?" 

"  Yes,  thank  you.  It  was  very  nice.  I  am 
ever  so  much  obliged  to  Mr.  Perkins  for  the 
money  to  go." 

"Mr.  Perkins  must  be  a  rich  man?"  said 
Mullins,  interrogatively. 

"  I  think  he  is  pretty  well  off,"  answered 
Chester. 

"  How  long  does  he  stay  in  the  city?  " 

"  He  was  to  leave  this  morning.  He  is  going 
to  Washington." 

David  Mullins  was  glad  to  hear  this.  It 
would  make  it  easier  for  him  to  discharge 
Chester. 

He  dispatched  him  on  an  errand,  and  was 
about  to  make  some  entries  in  the  books  when 
Dick  Ralston  strolled  in. 

"  How  are  you,  Dick?  Can  I  do  anything 
for  you  this  morning?  " 

"  Yes ;  you  can  let  me  have  a  hundred  dol 
lars," 


Chester  Rand.  163 

"  I  can't  do  that/'  answered  the  bookkeeper, 
with  a  slight  frown. 

"  You'll  have  to  settle  up  soon,"  said  Kal- 
ston,  in  a  surly  tone. 

"  Give  me  time,  can't  you?  I  can't  do  every 
thing  in  a  minute.  What  is  the  matter  writh 
you?  You  look  as  if  you  had  got  out  of  the 
wrong  side  of  the  bed." 

"  I  had  a  disagreeable  thing  happen  last  eve 
ning.  Who  should  appear  to  me  on  Madison 
Avenue  but  the  old  man." 

"  Your  father?  " 

"  Yes ;  he  left  a  good,  comfortable  home  up 
in  the  country,  and  came  here  to  see  if  he 
couldn't  get  some  money  out  of  me." 

"  Did  he?  " 

•'  I  gave  him  a  quarter  and  advised  him  to 
go  back.  He  seems  to  think  I  am  made  of 
money." 

"  So  he  has  a  comfortable  home?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Kalston,  hesitating  slight 
ly.  "  He's  better  off  than  I  am  in  one  way. 
He  has  no  board  to  pay,  and  sometimes  I 
haven't  money  to  pay  mine." 

"  I  suppose  he  is  staying  with  friends  or  rela 
tives,"  said  Mulling,  who  was  not  aware  that 
Mr.  Ralston,  senior,  was  the  inmate  of  a  poor- 
house. 

"It  is  an  arrangement  I  made  for  him.  I 
felt  angry  to  see  him  here,  and  I  told  him  so. 
However,  he  isn't  likely  to  come  again.  Have 
you  heard  from  Fairchild  yet?  " 


1 64  Chester  Rand. 

"  No;  it  isn't  time.  He  won't  reach  Chicago 
till  this  evening  or  to-morrow  morning." 

"  Meanwhile — that  is,  while  he  is  away — 
you  have  full  swing,  eh?" 

"  Yes ;  I  suppose  so." 

"  Then  you'll  be  a  fool  if  you  don't  take  ad 
vantage  of  it." 

David  Mullins  did  not  answer.  He  re 
pented,  now  that  it  was  too  late,  that  he  had 
placed  himself  in  the  power  of  such  a  man  as 
Dick  Ralston.  As  long  as  he  owed  him  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  there  was  no  escap 
ing  him,  and  Mullins  felt  very  uncomfortable 
when  he  considered  what  steps  the  gambler 
wanted  him  to  take  to  get  free  from  his  debts. 

At  this  moment  a  dignified-looking  gentle 
man  living  on  West  Forty-seventh  Street  en 
tered  the  office.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  large 
building,  of  which  Mr.  Fairchild  acted  as 
agent.  He  looked  askance  at  Dick  Ralston, 
whose  loud  dress  and  general  appearance  left 
little  doubt  as  to  his  character. 

"  Is  Mr.  Fairchild  in?"  the  caller  asked. 

"No,  sir;  he  started  for  the  West  yester 
day." 

"  I  am  sorry." 

"  I  can  attend  to  your  business,  Mr.  Gray." 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  prefer  to  wait.  How 
long  will  Mr.  Fairchild  be  absent?" 

"  Probably  six  weeks." 

The  gentleman  took  his  leave,  with  another 
side  glance  at  Ralston, 


Chester  Rand.  165 

When  he  had  gone,  Kalston  said,  "  Who  is 
that,  Mulling?" 

"  Mr.  Gray,  a  wealthy  banker,  living  on 
Forty-seventh  Street." 

"  So?  Why  didn't  you  introduce  me  to  the 
old  duffer?  I  might  have  made  something 
out  of  him." 

"  He  is  not  your  style,  Dick.  He  wouldn't 
care  to  be  introduced  to  a  stranger." 

"  So  he  puts  on  airs,  does  he?  " 

"  No ;  but  he  is  rather  a  proud,  reserved 
man." 

"  Thinks  himself  better  than  his  fellow  men, 
I  suppose,"  sneered  the  gambler. 

"  I  can't  say,  but  it  wouldn't  have  been 
policy  to  make  you  acquainted.  If  you  won't 
be  offended,  Dick,  I  will  say  that  though  I  am 
personally  your  friend,  I  am  afraid  that  it 
isn't  best  for, you  to  be  here  so  much." 

"  So  you  are  getting  on  your  high  horse, 
Mullins,  are  you?" 

"  No ;  but  you  are  too  well  known,  Dick. 
If  you  were  only  an  ordinary  man,  now,  it 
would  be  different,  but  your  striking  appear 
ance  naturally  makes  people  curious  about 
you." 

Dick  Ralston  was  not  insensible  to  flattery, 
and  this  compliment  propitiated  him.  He  was 
about  to  go  out  when  Chester  entered,  return 
ing  from  his  errand. 

"  How  are  you,  kid?  "  inquired  Ralston. 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Ralston,"  answered  Ches- 


100  Chester  Rand. 

ter,  coldly,  for  he  could  not  forget  how  the 
gambler  had  treated  his  old  father. 

"  Well,  did  you  pass  the  evening  with  that 
cowboy  from  Minneapolis?" 

"  I  spent  the  evening  with  Mr.  Perkins." 

"  Of  course !  That's  what  I  mean.  Has  he 
got  money?  " 

"  He  didn't  tell  me." 

"  He  gave  Felix  money  to  go  to  the  theater," 
interposed  Mull  ins. 

"  Is  that  so?  He  seems  to  be  liberal.  I'd 
like  to  cultivate  his  acquaintance.  How  long 
is  he  going  to  stay  at  the  Fifth  Avenue?  " 

"  He  left  for  Washington  this  morning." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  it.  Another  chance 
gone,  Mullins." 

The  bookkeeper  looked  warningly  at  Ral 
ston.  He  did  not  care  to  have  him  speak  so 
freely  before  the  office  boy. 

"  I  don't  suppose  we  are  likely  to  have  any 
business  with  Paul  Perkins,"  he  said.  "  I  of 
fered  to  sell  him  a  house,  but  he  doesn't  care  to 
locate  in  New  York." 

Things  went  on  as  usual  for  the  rest  of  the 
day.  Mr.  Mullins,  if  anything,  treated  Ches 
ter  better  than  usual,  and  the  office  boy  began 
to  think  that  he  had  done  the  bookkeeper  in 
justice.  Felix  spent  considerable  of  his  time  in 
the  office,  spending  his  time  in  reading  nickel 
libraries,  of  which  he  generally  carried  a  sup 
ply  with  him. 

On  the  next  day,  about  three  o'clock  in  the 


Chester  Rand  167 

afternoon,  Chester  was  sent  downtown  on  an 
errand.  He  was  delayed  about  ten  minutes 
by  a  block  on  the  Sixth  Avenue  car  line.  When 
he  entered  the  office,  Mullins  demanded, 
sharply,  "  What  made  you  so  long?  " 

Chester  explained. 

"  That's  too  thin !  "  retorted  the  bookkeeper. 
"  1  have  no  doubt  you  loitered,  wasting  your 
employer's  time." 

"  That  isn't  true,  Mr.  Mullins/'  said  Chester, 
indignantly. 

"  You  won't  mend  mattters  by  impertinence. 
It  i»  clear  to  me  that  you  wron't  suit  us.  I  will 
pay  you  your  wages  up  to  this  evening,  and 
you  can  look  for  another  place." 

"  Mr.  Fairchild  engaged  me,  Mr.  Mullins. 
It  is  only  right  that  you  should  keep  me  till  he 
returns,  and  report  your  objections." 

"  I  don't  require  any  instructions  from  you. 
STou  are  discharged — do  you  understand?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Chester,  slowly. 

"  You  needn't  wait  till  evening.  Here  is 
your  money.  Felix  will  take  your  place  for 
the  present." 

"  Yes,  Cousin  David,"  returned  Felix,  with 
alacrity. 

"  I  protest  against  this  sudden  discharge," 
said  Chester,  "  for  no  fault  of  my  own,  Mr. 
Mullins." 

"  You  have  said  enough.  I  understand  my 
business." 

There  was  nothing  for  Chester  to  do  but  to 


i68  Chester  Rand. 

accept  the  dismissal.  It  took  him  by  sur 
prise,  for  though  he  anticipated  ill  treatment, 
he  had  not  expected  to  be  discharged. 

"  Well,  Felix/'  said  the  bookkeeper,  "  you've 
got  th^  place  at  last." 

"  Yes,"  smiled  Felix,  complacently.  "  Didn't 
Chester  look  glum  when  you  bounced  him?  " 

"  I  don't  know  and  I  don't  care.  I  have  no 
further  use  for  him.  He's  too  fresh !  " 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

INTRODUCES  MR.  SHARPLEIGH,  THE  DETECTIVE. 

CHESTER  was  not  so  much  disturbed  by  his 
discharge,  so  far  as  it  related  to  his  own  wel 
fare,  as  by  the  thought  that  Mr.  Fairchild's  in 
terests  were  threatened.  He  felt  that  his 
absent  employer  ought  to  be  notified  at  once. 

Accordingly  he  went  to  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel  and  telegraphed  to  Chicago : 

"  I  am  discharged.  Felix  Gordon  is  in  my 
place.  Will  write." 

A  few  hours  later  Chester  received  the  fol 
lowing  message  at  his  lodgings. 

"  Your  telegram  received.  Will  write  you 
instructions.  FAIRCHILD." 


Chester  Rand.  169 

Two  days  later  Chester  received  a  letter  re 
questing  him  to  call  at  once  on  a  well-known 
detective,  give  him  all  the  available  informa 
tion  and  request  him  to  keep  careful  watch  of 
Mr.  Mulling  and  his  operations,  and  interfere 
if  any  steps  were  taken  prejudicial  to  Mr.  Fair- 
child's  interests. 

Chester  called  on  the  detective  and  was 
fortunate  enough  to  find  him  in.  He  expected 
to  see  a  large  man  of  impressive  manners  and 
imposing  presence,  and  was  rather  disap 
pointed  wrhen  he  found  a  small  personage 
under  the  average  height,  exceedingly  plain 
and  unpretentious,  who  might  easily  have  been 
taken  for  an  humble  clerk  on  a  salary  of  ten  or 
twelve  dollars  a  week. 

Mr.  Sharpleigh  listened  attentively  to  Ches 
ter's  communication,  and  then  proceeded  to 
ask  questions. 

"  Do  you  know  anything  of  Mr.  Mullins  out 
side  of  the  office?  "  he  asked. 

"  A  little,  sir." 

"  Has  he  any  bad  habits?  Is  he  extrava 
gant?  Does  he  drink?  " 

"  I  have  never  seen  any  evidence  that  he 
drank,"  answered  Chester.  "  Perhaps  he  may 
drink  a  glass  of  wine  or  beer  occasionally.", 

"  I  don't  mean  that.  He  is  not  what  may  be 
called  an  intemperate  man?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Any  other  objectionable  habits?  " 

"  I  think  he  gambles." 


I7o  Chester  RancL 

"  Ha !  this  is  important.  What  makes  yon 
think  so?  " 

"  He  seems  to  be  intimate  with  a  man  who?  I 
am  told,  is  a  well-known  gambler." 

"Who  is  it?" 

"  Dick  Ralston." 

"  Ralston  is  as  well  known  as  any  gambler 
in  the  city.  How  is  it  that  this  has  not  ex 
cited  the  suspicions  of  Mr.  Fairchild?  " 

"  I  don't  think  Mr.  Fairchild  knows  it." 

"  Then  Ralston  doesn't  come  into  the  of 
fice?  " 

"  He  did  not  when  Mr.  Fairchild  was  in 
town.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Fairchild  left  he  came 
at  once,  and  now  spends  considerable  time 
there." 

"  Probably  Mullins  owes  him  money  lost  in 
gambling." 

"  I  think  he  does.  I  overheard  him  one  day 
urging  Mr.  Mullins  to  give  him  money." 

"  That  makes  it  probable.  Do  you  know  if 
they  keep  company  outside?  " 

"  I  have  seen  them  walking  late  in  the  eve 
ning." 

"  Why  do  you  think  Mr.  Mullins  discharged 
you?" 

"  He  wanted  the  place  for  a  cousin  of  his." 

"  What  name?  " 

"  Felix  Gordon." 

"  Is  he  there  now?  " 

"  Yes ;  Felix  was  taken  on  when  I  was  dis- 
v  charged." 


Chester  Rand.  171 

«  At  once?" 

"  Yes.  He  was  in  the  office,  probably  wait 
ing  for  the  vacancy." 

"  The  plan  seems  to  have  been  cut  and  dried. 
What  sort  of  a  boy  is  Felix?  " 

"  I  don't  know  him  very  well.  He  seems  on 
confidential  terms  with  Mr.  Mullins." 

"  Did  the  bookkeeper  have  any  other  reasons 
for  disliking  you?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  interfered  to  prevent  his  cheating 
a  mechanic  out  of  his  month's  rent." 

"  State  the  circumstances." 

Chester  did  so. 

"  How  long  has  Mr.  Mullins  been  in  Mr. 
Fairchild's  employ?" 

"  About  five  years,  I  think  I  have  heard." 

"  That  speaks  well  for  him.  Probably  his 
acquaintance  with  Ralston  is  recent,  or  he 
would  have  done  something  before  this  to  in 
sure  his  discharge." 

There  was  a  short  silence,  and  Chester 
asked :  "  Have  you  any  more  questions,  Mr. 
Sharpleigh?" 

"  Not  at  present.  Will  you  give  me  your  ad 
dress?  " 

Chester  did  so. 

"  I  will  send  for  you  if  I  need  you.  I  think 
you  can  help  me  materially.  You  seem  to  have 
a  clear  head,  and  are  observing." 

It  was  the  evening  for  Chester  to  call  at 
Prof.  Hazlitt's. 

"  I  passed  your  office  this  morning,  Ches- 


1 72  Chester  Rand. 

ter,"  said  Arthur  Burks,  "  and  thought  of  call 
ing  in,  but  I  was  in  haste." 

"  You  wouldn't  have  found  me,  Arthur.  I 
am  discharged." 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  Arthur,  in  surprise. 
"  What  complaint  does  Mr.  Fairchild  make  of 
you?" 

"  None  at  all.  He  is  out  of  the  city.  The 
bookkeeper,  who  dislikes  me,  discharged  me, 
and  gave  the  place  to  his  cousin." 

"  I  am  awfully  sorry.    What  will  you  do?  " 

"  I  have  some  money  saved  up.  Besides,  I 
shall  devote  more  time  to  drawing.  I  made  a 
sketch  yesterday  which  Mr.  Conrad  thinks  I 
will  get  ten  dollars  for," 

"  That  is  fine.  I  never  earned  ten  dollars  in 
my  life." 

"  You  have  never  felt  obliged  to  work,  except 
in  school." 

"  I  take  care  not  to  injure  my  health  in 
studying,"  said  Arthur,  with  a  laugh. 

"  I  will  speak  to  uncle  Edgar,  and  he  will 
arange  to  have  you  come  four  times  a  week  in 
stead  of  two.  Then  you  will  earn  more  money 
from  him." 

"  Thank  you,  Arthur.    I  should  like  that." 

Prof.  Hazlitt,  on  being  spoken  to,  ratified 
this  arrangement,  so  that  Chester's  mind  was 
easy.  He  knew  now  that  he  would  be  able  to 
support  himself  and  more,  too. 

Chester  soon  had  something  more  to  encour- 


Chester  Rand.  173 

age  him.    He  received  at  his  lodgings  the  fol 
lowing  letter : 

"MR.  CHESTER  RAND. 

UDEAR  SIR:  We  are  about  to  establish  a  new  comic  weekly, 
which  we  shall  call  The  Phoenix.  It  is  backed  by  sufficient 
capital  to  insure  its  success.  Our  attention  has  been  called  to 
some  illustrations  which  you  have  furnished  to  some  of  our 
successful  contemporaries,  and  we  shall  be  glad  to  secure  your 
services.  We  may  be  able  to  throw  considerable  work  in  your 
way.  Please  call  at  our  office  as  soon  as  possible. 

EDITORS  OF  THE  PHCENIX." 

Chester  was  quite  exhilarated  by  this  letter. 
He  felt  that  it  was  a  proof  of  his  growing 
popularity  as  an  artist,  and  this  was  particu 
larly  gratifying.  Besides,  his  income  would  be 
largely,  at  any  rate  considerably,  increased. 
He  lost  no  time  in  presenting  himself  at  the 
office  of  The  Phoenix. 

It  was  located  in  a  large  office  building  on 
Nassau  Street.  He  took  the  elevator  and  went 
upstairs  to  the  sixth  floor.  On  the  door  of  a 
room  a  little  way  from  the  elevator  he  saw  the 
name,  and  knocked. 

"  Come  in !  "  was  the  response. 

Chester  opened  the  door  and  found  himself 
in  the  presence  of  a  man  of  about  forty,  with  a 
profusion  of  brown  hair  shading  a  pleasant 
countenance.  He  looked  up  inquiringly  as 
Chester  entered. 

"Is  this  the  editor  of  The  Phosnix? "  in 
quired  Chester,  respectfully. 

"  The  Phosnix  wrill  have  no  existence  till  next 
week,"  answered  the  other,  pleasantly.  "  I 
expect  to  be  its  editor." 


174  Chester  Rand. 

"  I  came  in  answer  to  your  letter." 

"  To  my  letter?  "  repeated  the  editor,  puz« 
zled. 

"  Yes;  my  name  is  Chester  Rand." 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  the  brown-haired  man, 
almost  incredulously.  "  You — a  boy?  How 
old  are  you?  " 

"  Sixteen." 

"  And  you  are  a  contributor  to  Puck  and 
other  papers?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  You  must  be  a  smart  boy.     Shake  hands. " 

Chester  shook  hands  with  a  smile. 

"  Will  my  being  a  boy  make  any  differ 
ence?  "  he  asked. 

"  Not  if  your  work  is  satisfactory.  Are  you 
willing  to  work  exclusively  for  The  Plicenixf  " 

"Yes,  sir;  that  is,  if  I  may  be  allowed  to 
complete  a  contract  I  have  made." 

"  W7hat  sort  of  a  contract?  " 

"  I  am  illustrating  Prof.  Hazlitt's  ethnologi 
cal  work.  I  think  it  may  take  me  some  months 
more,  working  evenings." 

"  That  won't  interfere  with  us.  I  was  afraid 
you  might  be  under  an  engagement  with  a 
rival  publication." 

"  No,  sir.  So  far  as  that  goes  I  will  confine 
myself  to  The  Phoenix  if— 

"  Terms  are  satisfactory,  I  suppose. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Then  I  will  agree  to  pay  you  twenty-five 


Chester  Rand.  175 

dollars  a  week  for  the  first  six  months.    I  may 
be  able  to  do  better  afterward." 

Chester  was  dazzled.  Twenty-five  dollars  a 
week!  What  would  Silas  Tripp  say  to  that 
or  his  enemy,  the  bookkeeper. 

"  I  accept,"  he  answered,  promptly. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

CHESTER   MEETS  ANOTHER  ARTIST. 

"WHERE  do  you  wish  me  to  work?"  asked 
Chester,  after  a  pause. 

"  You  can  work  at  home,  but  you  can  call  at 
the  office  every  day  to  leave  your  work  and  re 
ceive  instructions." 

"  All  right,  sir.  When  do  you  wish  me  to 
commence?  " 

"  At  once.  Have  you  any  work  ready?  I 
asked  because  we  want  to  get  out  the  first  num 
ber  as  soon  as  possible." 

"  I  have  one  sketch  and  have  several  ideas 
jotted  down." 

"  Good !  Deliver  as  much  as  possible  to 
morrow." 

Chester  returned  home  in  a  high  state  of 
exultation.  He  would  be  paid  less  for  indi 
vidual  sketches,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  he 
would  have  a  steady  income  and  an  assured 
market  for  all  he  might  produce.  It  seemed  » 


176  Chester  Rand. 

wonderful  promotion  from  five  dollars  a  week 
to  twenty-five.  To  be  sure,  when  in  the  real 
estate  office  he  had  picked  up  extra  compensa 
tion  for  outside  work,  but  this  was  precarious 
and  could  not  be  depended  on.  With  twenty- 
five  dollars  a  week  he  would  feel  rich.  This 
set  him  to  considering  that  he  must  have  a 
better  room  if  he  was  to  do  work  at  home.  In 
the  same  house  where  he  now  occupied  a  hall 
bedroom  was  a  large,  square  room  well  lighted 
with  two  windows,  well* furnished  and  having 
a  good  writing  desk,  left  by  some  previous  ten 
ant  in  part  payment  of  arrears  of  rent,  which 
he  could  have  for  five  dollars  a  week.  He  had 
often  thought  he  would  like  to  occupy  it,  and 
wished  he  might  find  an  agreeable  roommate 
who  would  share  the  expense  with  him.  Now 
he  felt  that  he  could  bear  the  expense  alone. 
He  lost  no  time  in  securing  it  and  moving  his 
few  belongings  in. 

Mrs.  Crosby,  his  landlady,  was  rather  sur 
prised. 

"  You  must  be  doing  well,"  she  said. 

Chester  smiled. 

"  I  have  been  discharged  from  my  position 
in  the  real  estate  office,"  he  said. 

"  Then,"  said  the  landlady,  in  some  dismay, 
"  isn't  it  imprudent  to  take  a  more  expensive 
room?" 

"  I  have  secured  a  much  better  place." 

"  Oh !  that  alters  the  case.  Is  it  likely  to  be 
permanent?" 


Chester  Rand.  177 

"  If  I  lose  it  I  will  go  back  to  my  old  room." 

"  I  am  sure  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  good 
luck,  Mr.  Rand.  It  is  very  seldom  that  a 
young  man  of  your  age " 

"  Call  me  a  boy.    I  am  not  a  young  man  yet." 

"  You  seem  to  be  getting  on  as  well  as  a 
young  man.  I  think  you  are  real  smart." 

"  You  mustn't  flatter  me,  Mrs.  Crosby.  You 
will  make  me  vain.  I  forgot  to  say  that  I  shall 
be  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  in  my  room. 
That  is  why  I  want  a  larger  one." 

"  But  when  will  you  work?  "  asked  the  land 
lady,  puzzled. 

"  I  shall  work  in  my  room." 

"  But  what  work  can  you  do  there?  " 

"  I  am  an  artist;  that  is,  I  am  to  make  draw 
ings  for  a  new  magazine." 

"  You  don't  say  so?    Will  that  pay?  " 

"  Very  handsomely." 

"  I  hope  you  will  show  me  some  of  them.  I 
never  met  an  artist  before." 

"  I  am  afraid  I  am  not  much  of  an  artist. 
I  can  show  you  one  of  my  pictures  now." 

Chester  took  from  the  table  a  number  of 
Puck  and  pointed  out  a  sketch. 

"  That's  pretty  good,"  said  the  landlady. 
"  You  wouldn't  get  more  than  thirty-five  cents 
for  such  a  picture,  would  you?  " 

"  I  was  paid  five  dollars  for  that." 

"  Do  tell !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Crosby,  who  was 
brought  up  in  a  country  town  and  still  used 
some  of  the  expressions  which  were  familiar  to 


178  Chester  Rand. 

her  in  early  days.  "  I  can't  hardly  believe  it. 
It  seems  foolish  to  pay  so  much  for  such  a  little 
thing." 

"  I  don't  think  it  foolish,  Mrs.  Crosby.  It 
must  pay  them,  or  they  wouldn't  keep  on  do 
ing  it." 

Chester  moved  into  his  new  room  and  en 
joyed  his  ample  accommodations  very  much. 
The  next  day  he  went  to  the  office  of  The 
Phoenix  and  carried  in  two  sketches.  They 
were  fortunate  enough  to  win  the  approval  of 
the  editor. 

"  I  see  you  are  practical  and  understand 
what  we  want,  Mr.  Rand,"  he  said.  Just  be 
hind  Chester  was  a  man  of  fifty,  rather  shabby 
and  neglectful  in  his  personal  appearance.  He 
might  be  described  as  an  artist  going  to  seed. 
Whatever  talent  he  might  have  had  originally 
had  been  dulled  and  obscured  by  chronic  in 
temperance. 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,"  he  said,  deferentially, 
"  but  I  would  like  to  submit  a  couple  of 
sketches.  I  am  Guy  Radr-liff." 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Mr.  Radcliff.  Let  me  ex 
amine  them." 

"  I  am  afraid,"  said  the  editor,  after  a  brief 
examination,  "  that  these  are  not  quite  what 
we  want." 

"Is  it  possible?"  exclaimed  Mr.  Radcliff, 
indignantly.  "  You  scorn  my  work,  yet  accept 
the  sketches  of  that  boy !  "  pointing  at  Chester 
with  withering  contempt. 


Chester  Rand.  179 

"  Because  he  has  given  me  what  I  want." 

"  I  was  a  famous  artist  before  he  was  born." 

"  Very  likely,  and  had  done  good  work.  But 
this  is  not  good  work." 

"Sir!" 

"  My  dear  sir,  don't  be  offended.  I  don't 
care  for  the  age  of  any  of  my  contributors.  I 
know  something  of  your  famous  successes,  and 
I  hope  next  time  to  approve  and  buy  what  you 
bring  me." 

Mr.  Eadcliff  seemed  only  half  propitiated. 
He  and  Chester  went  out  together. 

"What  is  your  name,  boy?"  asked  the 
artist. 

"  Chester  Hand." 

"  I  never  heard  of  you." 

"  I  am  only  a  beginner,"  said  Chester,  mod 
estly. 

"  You  seem  to  have  got  in  with  Fleming." 

"  I  may  not  keep  in  with  him." 

"  Are  you  doing  pretty  well?  " 

"  Yes,  for  a  boy." 

"  Have  you  got  a  loose  quarter  about  you? 
I  haven't  done  much  work  lately,  and  am  hard 
up." 

Chester  took  half  a  dollar  from  his  pocket 
and  handed  it  to  the  elder  man.  His  compas 
sion  was  stirred  as  he  felt  for  Radcliff's  humili 
ation  in  being  obliged  to  make  such  an  appeal 
to  a  boy  like  himself. 

"  Thank  you.  You're  a  gentleman.  I'll  re 
turn  it  soon,"  said  Kadcliff,  looking  relieved. 


i8o  Chester  Rand. 

"  Good  luck  to  you !  You're  a  good  fellow, 
after  all." 

"  I  wish  you  good  luck,  too,  Mr.  Radcliff." 

Chester  did  not  need  to  be  told  what  had 
brought  the  elder  artist  into  such  an  impecuni 
ous  condition.  His  face  with  its  unnatural 
flush  showed  that  his  habits  had  been  far  from 
creditable. 

"  If  I  needed  anything  to  keep  me  from 
drinking,  Mr.  Radcliff  s  example  would  be  suf 
ficient,"  thought  Chester.  He  had  before  now 
been  invited  to  take  a  drink  at  some  convenient 
saloon,  but  he  had  never  been  tempted  to  do  so. 

Two  days  later  Chester  was  walking  through 
Union  Square  when  he  came  face  to  face  with 
Felix  Gordon. 

Felix  espied  him  first. 

"  Hello !  Chester,"  said  his  successor. 

«  Hello !    I  didn't  see  you." 

"  I  envy  you." 

"Why?" 

"  You  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  enjoy  your 
self,"  answered  Felix,  significantly. 

"  Oh,  that's  it !  "  said  Chester,  smiling.  He 
saw  that  Felix  thought  him  to  be  out  of  em 
ployment. 

"  That  was  the  case  with  you  before  you  suc 
ceeded  me  in  the  real  estate  office.  How  do 
you  like  it?  " 

"  Pretty  well,  but  I  think  I  ought  to  get 
more  salary.  You  got  five  dollars,  didn't 
you?" 


Chester  Rand.  181 

"  Yes." 

"  I  will  try  and  get  six  when  Mr.  Fairchild 
gets  back." 

"  I  wish  you  success." 

"  You  don't  feel  any  grudge  against  me  for 
taking  your  place?  " 

"  No;  it  wasn't  you  who  got  me  discharged." 

"  I  thought  you'd  be  in  to  get  a  letter  of 
recommendation  from  cousin  David." 


"  Would  he  give  me  one?  " 


"  I  don't  know.  Are  you  trying  to  get  a 
place?  " 

"No." 

Felix  looked  surprised. 

"  You  ain't  rich,  are  you?  "  he  asked. 

"  No ;  what  makes  you  ask?  " 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  can  live  without  any 
salary." 

"  I  couldn't.  I  ought  to  tell  you  that  I  have 
got  a  place." 

"  You  have?  "  exclaimed  Felix,  in  surprise, 
and  it  must  be  confessed,  disappointment. 

"  Yes." 

"Where  is  it?" 

"  In  the  office  of  a  new  paper." 

"What  is  it?" 

"  The  Phoenix,  a  comic  paper  just  started." 

"Where  is  the  office?" 

"  In  Nassau  Street." 

"  Then  why  are  you  not  there?  " 

"  I  don't  have  to  be  there  all  the  time." 

"  Do  you  get  good  pay?  " 


1 82  Chester  Rand. 

"  Yes." 

"How  much?" 

"  I  get  more  than  I  did  at  the  real  estate 
office." 

"  You  don't  say !  " 

"  Yes.     I  was  in  luck." 

"  Do  you  get  six  dollars?  " 

"  More.  I  don't  care  to  tell  you  just  how 
much  I  get." 

"  By  the  way,  there  was  an  old  man  in  the 
office  yesterday  inquiring  after  you." 

"  Did  he  give  his  name?  " 

"  Yes.     He  said  his  name  was  Silas  Tripp." 

"  What  on  earth  brought  Mr.  Tripp  to  New 
York?"  Chester  asked  himself. 

This  question  will  be  answered  in  the  next 
chapter. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

A   STRANGER   IN    NEW   YORK. 

IT  was  not  often  that  Silas  Tripp  went  to 
New  York.  The  expense  was  a  consideration, 
and  again  he  found  it  difficult  to  leave  his  busi 
ness.  But  he  had  received  a  circular  from  an 
investment  company  in  Wall  Street,  offering 
ten  per  cent,  interest  for  any  money  he  might 
have  to  invest.  High  interest  always  attracts 
men  who  love  money,  and  it  so  happened  that 
Silas  had  five  hundred  dollars  invested.  The 
difference  between  six  and  ten  per  cent,  inter- 


Chester  Rand.  183 

est  on  this  sum  would  make  twenty  dollars  an 
nually,  besides  a  contingent  share  in  extra 
profits  promised  in  the  circular,  and  on  the 
whole  he  thought  it  would  pay  him  to  make  the 
journey. 

He  went  at  once  to  the  office  of  Messrs. 
Gripp  &  Co.,  on  his  arrival  in  the  city.  He 
found  the  financial  agents  occupying  hand 
some  offices,  well  furnished  and  covered  with  a 
thick  Turkey  carpet.  Everything  betokened 
prosperity,  and  Mr.  Tripp  was  dazzled.  The 
result  was  that  he  made  the  investment  and 
laid  away  in  his  old-fashioned  wallet  five  new 
bonds,  assuring  a  dividend  of  ten  per  cent. 

"  I  calculate  it's  safe,"  he  said  to  Mr.  Gripp, 
a  stout  man  with  a  florid  face,  expensively 
dressed  and  sporting  a  large  and  showy  dia 
mond  ring. 

"  Assuredly,  my  dear  sir,"  said  Gripp,  with 
suavity.  "  I  congratulate  you,  Mr.  Tripp,  on 
making  an  unusually  profitable  investment. 
I  venture  to  say  that  within  the  year,  besides 
the  regular  dividend,  there  will  be  an  extra 
dividend  of  five  per  cent.,  making  fifteen  per 
cent,  in  all.  It  is  a  pity  you  had  not  more  in 
vested." 

"  Mebby  I'll  bring  you  in  some  more  bime- 
by,"  said  Mr.  Tripp,  cautiously. 

"  I  trust  you  will,  for  your  own  sake.  To  us 
it  is  not  important,  as  we  have  plenty  of  capi 
tal  offered.  Indeed,  we  have  had  to  limit  in 
vestments  to  five  thousand  dollars  for  each  per- 


1 84  Chester  Rand. 

son.  Why,  a  millionaire,  whose  name  would, 
be  very  familiar  to  you  if  I  could  venture  to 
mention  it,  came  here  last  week  and  wanted  to 
invest  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  our  bonds,  but 
I  firmly  refused  to  take  more  than  five  thou 
sand." 

"  I  don't  see  why  you  should,"  said  Silas, 
puzzled. 

"  I  will  tell  you  why.  We  wish  to  give  a 
chance  to  smaller  investors,  like  yourself,  for 
instance.  Rich  men  have  plenty  of  ways  in 
which  to  invest  their  money  to  advantage, 
while  you  probably  don't  know  where  to  get 
over  six  per  cent." 

"No;  I  never  got  more'n  that." 

"  I  dare  say  you  have  considerable  invested 
at  that  small  interest." 

"  Well,  mebbe." 

"  Think  how  much  it  would  be  for  your  ad 
vantage  to  get  four  per  cent,  more." 

"  To  be  sure,  sartin !  Well,  I'll  think  of  it, 
Mr.  Gripp.  Mebbe  I'll  come  and  see  you  ag'in 
soon." 

Mr.  Gripp  smiled  to  himself.  He  saw  that 
the  bait  was  likely  to  prove  effective. 

"  Well,  good-by,  Mr.  Gripp.  You'll  send  me 
any  information  about  the  bonds?" 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Tripp,  with  pleasure.  Whenever 
you  are  in  the  city,  even  if  you  have  no  busi 
ness  with  us,  make  our  office  your  home. 
Whenever  you  have  any  letters  to  write,  we 
will  furnish  you  a  desk  and  all  facilities." 


Chester  Rand,  185 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Gripp ;  you're  very  obleeg- 
ing." 

So  the  old  man  went  out,  feeling  very  com 
placent  over  his  new  investment,  and  much 
pleased  with  the  handsome  way  he  was  treated 
by  Mr.  Gripp. 

"  Lemme  see,"  he  reflected.  "  I've  got  five 
thousand  dollars  invested.  At  ten  per  cent,  it 
would  amount  to  five  hundred  dollars,  and 
with  an  extra  dividend  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  more.  I'll  have  to  think  it  over. 
All  seems  safe  and  square,  and  Mr.  Gripp  is  a 
real  gentleman." 

Silas  Tripp  looked  at  his  watch.  It  was  only 
half-past  ten.  How  should  he  occupy  his  spare 
time? 

"  I  guess  I'll  go  and  see  Chester  Rand,"  he 
said.  "  His  mother  told  me  where  he  was 
working.  Perhaps  he'll  know  of  some  cheap 
place  where  I  can  get  dinner.  The  last  time  I 
was  in  the  city  it  cost  me  forty  cents.  That's 
a  terrible  price." 

Mr.  Tripp  knew  the  location  of  Mr.  Fair- 
child's  office,  and  after  some  inquiry  he  found 
his  way  there.  He  felt  so  much  like  a  stranger 
in  the  big  city  that  he  anticipated  with  pleas 
ure  seeing  a  familiar  face.  Perhaps  Chester 
would  invite  him  out  to  lunch,  and  Mr.  Tripp, 
in  his  frugality,  would  not  have  declined  the 
offer  even  of  an  office  boy,  as  long  as  it  would 
save  him  expense. 


i86  Chester  Rand. 

Felix  Gordon  was  just  leaving  the  office  on 
an  errand. 

"  Is  that  Mr.  Fairchild's  office?  "  inquired 
Silas. 

"  Yes,"  answered  Felix,  with  rather  a  dis 
dainful  glance  at  Silas  Tripp's  rusty  garments. 

"  Much  obleeged  to  ye,"  said  Silas. 

He  entered  the  office  and  glanced  about,  ex 
pecting  to  see  Chester. 

David  Hullins  came  forward,  and  with  some 
show  of  civility  greeted  the  old  country  mer 
chant.  Though  he  was  not  naturally  polite,  he 
knew  that  the  size  of  a  man's  purse  could  not 
always  be  judged  from  the  cut  or  quality  of  his 
garments,  and  he  was  just  as  ready  to  make 
money  out  of  Silas  as  out  of  any  fashionably 
dressed  customer. 

"  Is  Mr.  Fairchild  in?  "  asked  Silas. 

"  No ;  Mr.  Fairchild  is  out  West.  I  am  Mr. 
Hulling,  his  bookkeeper,  and  represent  him." 

"  Just  so !  Have  you  a  boy  workin'  for  you 
named  Chester — Chester  Rand?  " 

"  Are  you  a  friend  of  his?  "  asked  the  book 
keeper. 

"  Well,  yes.  I  come  from  Wyncombe,  where 
he  lives,  and  I  know  his  folks.  I  was  told  he 
was  workin'  here." 

"  Yes,  he  was  working  here,"  answered  Mul 
ling,  emphasizing  the  past  teiise. 

"  Isn't  he  here  now?  "  demanded  Silas,  with 
surprise. 

"  No." 


Chester  Rand.  187 

"How's  that?" 

"  It's  rather  a  delicate  matter,  as  you  are  a 
friend  of  his,  but  some  days  since  I  was  obliged 
to  discharge  him." 

"  You  don't  say !  "  ejaculated  Silas,  in  mani 
fest  surprise. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say  it." 

"  But  what  was  the  matter?  What  did  he 
do?" 

"  Well,  as  to  that,  he  did  nothing  very  seri 
ous,  but  he  wasted  time  when  he  was  sent  out 
on  an  errand,  and  I  felt  that  it  was  injurious 
to  the  interests  of  Mr.  Fairchild  to  retain 
him." 

"  He  used  to  be  spry  enough  when  he  worked 
for  me." 

"  When  he  worked  for  you?  " 

"  Yes.  I  keep  a  store  out  in  Wyncombe,  and 
he  was  in  my  employ  most  a  year.  I  used  to 
think  him  quite  a  lively  boy." 

"  I  dare  say  he  would  do  very  well  in  a  coun 
try  store,  but  in  the  city  we  want  boys  to  be 
active  and  wide  awake.  I  don't  want  to  say 
anything  against  him.  He  was  perfectly  hon 
est,  so  far  as  I  know." 

"  Has  he  got  another  place?  " 

"  I  don't  think  he  has.  It  is  difficult  for  a 
boy  to  get  a  place  in  this  city — that  is,  a  good 
place,  and  he  wouldn't  be  likely  to  refer  any 
employer  to  me." 

"  I'm  afraid  he'll  be  put  to  it  to  live,  for  his 


i88  Chester  Rand. 

mother  was  poor.  How  much  wages  did  you 
pay  him?  " 

"  Five  dollars  a  week." 

"  That's  pretty  high  pay." 

"  So  it  is,  and  we  expect  a  first-class  boy  for 
that." 

"  Have  you  got  a  better  boy  in  his  place?  " 

"  Yes;  I  have  taken  in  a  cousin  of  mine  who 
knows  my  ways  and  satisfies  me." 

"  Was  it  the  boy  I  saw  just  after  I  came  in — 
a  dark-complexioned  boy  with  black  hair?  " 

"  Yes,  that  is  Felix." 

"  And  you  find  him  better  than  Chester?  " 

"Yes." 

Silas  Tripp  did  not  make  any  comments,  but 
he  had  not  been  very  favorably  impressed  by 
the  little  he  had  seen  of  Chester's  successor. 

"  Mebbe  Chester  isn't  adapted  to  the  city," 
Silas  said. 

"  I  think  you  are  right.  It  would  be  better 
for  him  to  go  back  into  your  store,  but  country 
boys  fancy  they  must  come  to  the  city  and  be 
come  city  business  men." 

"  That's  so.  Mebbe  I  wouldn't  succeed  in 
the  city  myself,  though  I'm  doin'  a  tidy  busi 
ness  in  Wyncombe.  I'd  like  to  see  Chester. 
Can  you  tell  me  where  he  lives?  " 

"  No,  I  haven't  his  address." 

"  I  wonder  he  hasn't  gone  back  home.  Meb 
be  he  hasn't  got  the  money." 

"  I  presume  you  are  correct  in  your  conjec 
ture." 


Chester  Rand.  189 

ee  His  mother  hasn't  said  anything  to  me 
about  Chester  bein'  out  of  work.  I'm  sur 
prised  at  that." 

"  Perhaps  he  did  not  like  to  tell  her." 

"  Very  like,  very  like !  I'm  really  sorry  to 
hear  Chester  ain't  done  no  better." 

"  He  isn't  quite  up  to  our  mark,  but  I  dare 
say  he  will  do  very  well  in  the  country  or  in 
some  small  business." 

"  Are  you  doin'  a  large  business?  You  don't 
seem  to  have  much  stock  here." 

"  My  dear  sir,  we  can't  get  brownstone 
houses  and  country  villas  into  an  office  like 
this." 

"  Is  that  what  you  sell?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  sold  a  fifty-thousand-dollar  house 
this  morning  up  on  Forty-fifth  Street,  and  yes 
terday  I  sold  a  summer  hotel  for  forty  thou 
sand  dollars.  Our  commission  in  each  case 
would  be  several  hundred  dollars." 

"  Sho !  Well,  you  be  doin'  a  good  business. 
Can  you  tell  where  I  can  get  a  good  dinner 
moderate?  " 

Felix  came  in  at  this  moment. 

"  Felix,"  said  his  cousin,  "  you  may  keep 

the  office  while  I  go  out  to  lunch.  Mr. 

You  didn't  tell  me  your  name." 

"  Silas  Tripp." 

"  Mr.  Tripp,  it  will  give  me  pleasure  if  you 
will  go  out  and  take  lunch  with  me." 

"  Well,  I  am  sure  you're  very  polite,"  said 


190  Chester  Rand. 

Silas,  pieased  to  think  he  would  be  saved  ex 
pense;  "  I'm  much  obliged." 

So  the  two  went  out  together.  Mullins  con 
tinued  to  say  considerable  that  was  deroga 
tory  to  Chester,  and  left  Mr.  Tripp  under  the 
impression  that  he  was  a  failure  so  far  as  New 
York  business  was  concerned. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

MR.  TRIPP  IS  DISAPPOINTED. 

SILAS  TRIPP  returned  home  full  of  the  news 
he  had  heard  in  New  York. 

"  Just  as  I  thought,"  he  said  to  himself, 
"  Chester  Rand  ought  never  to  have  left  Wyn- 
combe.  He  ain't  calculated  to  succeed  in  the 
city.  He'd  orter  have  stayed  in  my  store.  In 
two  or  three  years  he  might  have  been  earnin' 
four  or  five  dollars  a  week,  and  he  could  have 
boarded  at  home.  It  costs  a  sight  to  live  in 
the  city.  I  ain't  sure  that  I  could  afford  it  my 
self." 

Mr.  Tripp  decided  to  offer  Chester  his  old 
place  at  two  dollars  and  a  half  a  week.  Abel 
Wood  was  again  in  his  employ,  but  he  didn't 
like  him  as  well  as  Chester. 

The  latter  he  had  -always  found  reliable, 
while  Abel  was  rather  apt  to  forget  what  Silas 
told  him.  Once  he  had  stopped  in  the  street 
and  played  ball,  losing  ten  or  fifteen  minutes 


Chester  Rand.  191 

ir  that  way.  Mr.  Tripp  was  obliged  to  confess 
that  he  never  had  a  more  satisfactory  boy  than 
Chester. 

The  store  closed  at  nine,  and  Silas,  instead 
of  going  into  the  house,  walked  over  to  Mrs. 
Band's  cottage. 

She  was  rather  surprised  when  she  saw  who 
her  visitor  was. 

"  Good-evening,  Mr.  Tripp,"  she  said,  po 
litely.  "  Won't  you  come  in?  " 

"  Thank  you,  widder.  It's  rather  late  to 
call,  but  I  thought  you  might  like  to  hear  about 
York,  seein'  Chester  is  there." 

"  Have  you  been  to  New  York  to-day?  " 

"  Yes;  I  went  up  on  a  little  business." 

"  Did  you  see  Chester?  " 

"  No,  I  didn't  see  him,"  answered  Silas,  sig 
nificantly. 

"Did  you  hear  anything  of  him?"  Mrs. 
Rand  naturally  asked. 

Mr.  Tripp  coughed. 

"  Well,  yes,  I  heered  somethin'  about  him." 

"  Is  he — sick?  "  asked  the  mother,  anxiously, 
made  apprehensive  by  his  tone. 

"  Not  that  I  know  of.  Hain't  he  writ  any 
thing  special  to  you?  " 

"  I  had  a  letter  yesterday,  but  there  was 
nothing  special  in  it." 

"  I  suppose  he  didn't  say  nothin'  about  his 
place?  " 

"  Yes;  he  likes  it  very  much." 

"  I  don't  like  to  say  it,  widder,  but  he's  de- 


IQ2  Chester  Rand. 

ceivin'  you.  I  saw  his  employer  myself,  and 
he  said  that  he  had  to  discharge  Chester." 

Somehow  Mrs.  Rand  did  not  seem  so  much 
disturbed  by  this  intelligence  as  the  store* 
keeper  thought  she  would  be. 

"  Oh,  you  mean  the  real  estate  office,"  she 
said. 

"  Yes ;  I  was  treated  quite  handsome  by  Mr. 
Mullins,  the  bookkeeper,  who  is  runnin'  the 
business  while  Mr.  Fairchild  is  away.  He 
says  Chester  wasn't  spry  enough,  that  he 
wasn't  wide  awake  enough  to  work  in  the  city." 

Mrs.  Rand  actually  smiled. 

"  So  that  is  what  he  said,"  she  returned.  "  I 
can  tell  you  why  Chester  was  discharged.  Mr. 
Mullins  wanted  to  give  the  place  to  his 
nephew." 

"  Mebbe  so,"  answered  Silas,  dubiously. 
"  Anyhow,  it's  unfortunate  for  Chester  to  lose 
his  place.  I  feel  for  you,  Mrs.  Rand,  as  I 
always  liked  Chester  myself,  and  I  came  here 
to-night  to  say  that  I'm  ready  to  take  him  back 
into  the  store,  and  give  him  two  dollars  and  a 
half  a  week.  He  suits  me." 

Mr.  Tripp  leaned  back  in  the  rocking-chair 
and  looked  as  if  he  had  made  a  very  handsome 
proposal. 

"  I  see,  Mr.  Tripp,"  said  Mrs.  Rand,  smiling, 
"  that  you  think  Chester  is  out  of  a  position." 

"  So  he  is.  Wasn't  he  discharged?  I  know 
from  what  Mr.  Mullins  said  he  won't  take  him 
back." 


Chester  Rand.  193 

"  Chester  would  not  be  willing  to  go  back. 
He  has  a  new  and  better  place." 

"  You  don't  say !  "  ejaculated  Mr.  Tripp,  sur 
prised  and,  it  must  be  confessed,  disappointed. 
"  What  sort  of  a  place  is  it?  " 

"  He  is  working  for  a  New  York  paper  or 
magazine." 

"  Sho !  Does  he  get  as  much  pay  as  he  did  at 
the  other  place?" 

"  Considerably  more,"  Mrs.  Rand  answered, 
with  satisfaction. 

"  More'n  five  dollars  a  week?  " 

"  Yes ;  he  offers  to  send  me  five  dollars  a 
week,  but  I  can  get  along  without  assistance, 
since  Miss  Dolby  pays  me  so  liberally." 

"  Well,  I  am  surprised.  Chester  is  very 
lucky.  Mebbe  it  won't  last,"  he  continued, 
hopefully. 

"  It  seems  likely  to  be  permanent." 

"  Well,  I  guess  I  must  be  goin'.  If  he 
should  lose  his  place,  tell  him  I  will  take  him 
back  any  time." 

"  I  don't  think  he  would  be  satisfied  to  come 
back  to  Wyncombe  after  working  in  New 
York." 

Silas  Tripp  returned  to  his  house  rather  dis 
appointed.  He  had  felt  so  sure  of  securing 
Chester's  services,  and  now  his  old  boy  seemed 
to  be  quite  out  of  his  reach. 

"  Offered  to  send  his  mother  five  dollars  a 
week ! "  he  soliloquized.  "  Then  he  must  be 
makin'  as  much  as  ten  in  his  new  place.  Mr. 


Chester  Rand. 

Mullins  didn't  seem  to  know  about  it.  I  won 
der  what  he  can  be  doin'  to  get  such  a  high 
salary. " 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

PROF.  NUGENT. 

CHESTER  still  went  three  times  a  week  to  the 
house  of  Prof.  Hazlitt.  He  was  getting  on 
fast  with  the  professor's  work. 

"  I  think  I  shall  go  to  press  with  my  book 
before  the  end  of  the  year/7  said  the  professor, 
one  evening,  as  Chester  was  taking  his  leave. 
"  In  my  preface  I  shall  mention  your  name, 
Chester,  as  my  artistic  collaborator." 

"  Couldn't  you  mention  my  name,  tou,  Uncle 
Edgar?  "  asked  Arthur  Burks, 

"In  what  way?"  inquired  the  professor, 
smiling. 

"  You  can  say  that  I  supervised  the  illustra 
tions,"  answered  Arthur,  demurely. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  will  have  to  wait  til]  you 
are  better  entitled  to  credit." 

"  Now,  that's  mean,  Uncle  Edgar.  I  know 
how  I'll  get  even  with  you." 

"How?" 

"  I  will  write  a  rival  book,  and  get  Chester 
to  illustrate  it  better  than  yours." 

"It  would  need  better  illustrations,  since 


Chester  Rand,  195 

there  would  be  nothing  else  in  the  work  worthy 
of  attention." 

"  Your  uncle  has  got  you  there? "  said 
Chester. 

"You'll  illustrate  my  book,  won't  you?" 

**  Certainly;  that  is,  if  I  can  depend  on 
prompt  payment." 

Chester  and  Arthur  Burks  were  fast  friends. 
Arthur  did  not  shine  in  scholarship,  but  he 
was  fond  of  fun,  and  was  a  warm-hearted  and 
pleasant  companion,  and  a  true  friend. 

One  afternoon  he  called  on  Chester  at  his 
ro^m. 

"  I  bring  you  an  invitation  to  dinner,"  he 
said.  "  Uncle  has  a  friend  from  Oregon  visit 
ing  him,  and  as  he  is  an  interesting  talker,  you 
will  enjoy  meeting  him.  I  believe  he  is  a  pro 
fessor  in  Williamette  University." 

"  Thank  you,  Arthur ;  I  shall  be  very  glad  to 
come." 

"  Come  with  me  now,  if  you  have  got 
through  your  day's  work.  You  can  have  a 
little  scientific  conversation  before  dinner." 

"  It  will  be  the  science  of  baseball  and 
tennis,  I  suspect,  Arthur." 

"  No  doubt  you  will  find  me  very  instruct 
ive." 

"  You  always  are,  Arthur." 

"  Thank  you.  I  like  to  be  appreciated  by 
somebody." 

At  the  dinner  table  Chester  was  introduced 
to  Prof.  Nugent. 


Chester  Rand, 

"  This  is  Chester  Rand,  the  young  artist  who 
is  illustrating  my  ethnological  work,  brother 
Nugent,"  said  Prof.  Hazlitt 

"What-^this  boy?"  Prof.  Nugent  ex 
claimed,  in  a  tone  of  surprise. 

"  Yes.  Boy  as  he  is,  he  is  a  salaried  contrib 
utor  to  The  Phoenix." 

"  You  surprise  me.  How  old  are  you,  Mr. 
Rand?" 

"  Sixteen." 

"  I  suppose  you  began  your  art  education 
early?" 

Chester  smiled. 

"  No,  sir,"  he  answered.  "  Four  months  ago 
I  was  the  boy  in  a  country  grocery  store." 

"  This  is  wonderful.  I  shall  subcribe  to 
The  Phoenix  before  I  go  back  to  my  Western 
home." 

"  I  am  afraid,  sir,  it  will  be  too  light  to  suit 
your  taste." 

"  My  dear  young  friend,  don't  suppose  I  am 
always  grave.  What  says  the  Latin  poet : 

"  'Dulce  est  desipere  in  loco.' 

If  you  don't  understand  it,  probably  Arthur 
can  enlighten  you." 

"  What  does  it  mean,  Arthur?  " 

"  It  means,  '  When  all  your  serious  work  is 
done,  'tis  best  to  have  a  little  fun,'  "  answered 
'Arthur,  promptly. 

"  Bravo,  Arthur,"  said  Prof.  Nugent,  clap- 


Chester  Rand,  197 

ping  his  hands.  "  So  we  have  a  young  poet  as 
well  as  a  young  artist  here." 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  Arthur.  "  I'm  pretty 
smart,  but  few  people  find  it  out." 

"  You'd  better  ask  the  professor  about  Ta- 
coma,"  suggested  Arthur,  during  a  pause  ia 
the  conversation.  4 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

MR.  FAIRCHILD'S    TELEGRAM. 

"  TACOMA  !  "  repeated  the  professor.  "  Who 
is  interested  in  Tacoma?  " 

"  I  own  five  lots  of  land  there,"  answered 
Chester. 

"  Then  I  congratulate  you.  Lots  are  rising 
there,  and  are  destined  to  go  to  a  still  higher 
point." 

"How  do  you  account  for  that?"  asked 
Prof.  Hazlitt. 

"  In  three  months  the  Northern  Pacific 
Railroad  will  be  completed,  and  that  will  give 
a  great  impetus  to  the  growth  of  the  town. 
I  expect  to  live  to  see  fifty  thousand  people 
there.  Let  me  ask  how  you  became  possessed 
of  these  lots?" 

"  They  were  given  to  me  by  a  friend  now 
dead." 

"  What  was  his  name?  " 


198  Chester  Rand. 

"  Walter  Bruce." 

"  Indeed !  Why,  I  own  three  lots  adjoin 
ing  the  Bruce  lots.  They  are  among  the  best 
located  in  the  town." 

"  Would  you  advise  me  to  keep  them  or  sell 
if  I  have  the  chance?  " 

"  To  keep  them,  by  all  means.  I  shall  keep 
mine.  If,  however,  you  wish  to  sell,  I  will 
myself  pay  you  five  hundred  dollars  each." 

"  Then  I  may  consider  myself  worth  twenty- 
five  hundred  dollars/'  said  Chester,  in  a  tone 
of  satisfaction. 

"  Yes,  and  more  if  you  are  willing  to  wait." 

"  I  think  Mr.  Bruce  only  gave  twenty-five 
dollars  apiece  for  them." 

"  Very  likely.  Mine  only  cost  thirty  dollars 
each." 

"  I  shall  begin  to  look  upon  you  as  a  rich 
man,  Chester,"  said  Arthur  Burks." 

"  Only  a  rich  boy,"  corrected  Chester,  laugh 
ing.  "  I  haven't  begun  to  shave  yet." 

"  I  think  I  shall  commence  next  week,"  re 
marked  Arthur,  rubbing  his  cheek  vigorously. 

"  Since  you  own  property  in  our  neighbor 
hood,  Mr.  Rand,"  said  Prof.  Nugent,  "  why 
don't  you  make  us  a  visit?  " 

"  I  hope  to  some  day  when  I  can  afford  it," 
replied  Chester,  "  but  I  didn't  know  till  you 
told  me  just  now  that  my  lots  were  worth  more 
than  a  trifle." 

"  If  ever  you  do  come,  don't  forget  to  call 
on  me  at  the  university.  It  is  located  in 


Chester  Rand.  199 

Salem,  Oregon.  I  may  be  able  to  take  a  trip 
to  Tacoma  with  you." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  I  should  like  nothing 
better." 

The  next  afternoon  Chester  chanced  to  enter 
the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel.  He  went  through 
the  corridor  and  into  the  reading  room  to  buy 
a  paper.  What  was  his  surprise  to  see  his  re 
cent  acquaintance,  Paul  Perkins,  sitting  in  an 
armchair,  reading  a  Minneapolis  journal. 

"  Why,  Chester !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Perkins, 
cordially,  as  he  rose  and  shook  Chester's  hand 
vigorously.  "  It  does  my  heart  good  to  see 
you.  I  was  intending  to  call  at  your  office  to 
morrow." 

"  You  wouldn't  have  found  me,  Mr.  Per 
kins." 

"  How  is  that?  " 

"  I  have  been  discharged." 

"  By  that  rascal,  Mullins?  It's  a  shame.  I 
must  see  if  I  can't  find  you  another  position." 

"  Thank  you,  but  it  is  not  necessary.  I  have 
a  place  already." 

"  Good !     Is  it  in  the  real  estate  business?  " 

"  No,  I  am  engaged  on  The  Phoznix,  a  new 
weekly  humorous  paper,  as  one  of  the  regular 
staff  of  artists." 

"  Whew !  That  is  good.  Do  you  get  fair 
pay?  " 

"  Twenty-five  dollars  a  week." 

"  You  don't  say  so  That  is  surprising. 
How  much  did  you  get  at  the  other  place?  " 


200  Chester  Rand, 

"  Five." 

"  Then  this  is  five  times  as  good.  You  ought 
to  give  Mr.  Mullins  a  vote  of  thanks  for  bounc 
ing  you." 

"  I  don't  think  he  meant  to  benefit  me,"  said 
Chester,  smiling. 

"  Do  you  have  to  work  hard?  What  are 
your  hours?  " 

"  I  have  none.  I  work  at  home  and  select 
my  own  hours." 

"  Are  you  through  work  for  the  day?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Then  you  must  stay  and  dine  with  me.  It 
is  four  o'clock.  We  can  chat  for  an  hour,  and 
then  go  to  dinner." 

"  Thank  you.  I  will  accept  with  pleasure. 
Did  you  have  a  pleasant  journey?" 

"  Yes ;  but  I  should  have  enjoyed  it  better 
if  you  had  been  with  me.  I  called  at  the  White 
House  and  shook  hands  with  the  President." 

"  Did  you  tell  him  you  wanted  an  office?  " 

"  No  office  for  me.  I  would  rather  have  my 
own  business  and  be  my  own  master.  Wash 
ington's  a  fine  city,  but  give  me  Minneapolis." 

"  I  may  call  on  you  in  Minneapolis  some 
time,  Mr.  Perkins." 

"  I  hope  you  will.  You'll  find  it  worth  visit 
ing.  It's  a  right  smart  place,  if  I  do  say  it." 

"  I  have  seen  a  professor  from  a  university 
in  Oregon,  and  he  has  given  me  good  news  of 
my  lots  in  Tacoma.  I  have  five,  as  I  think  I 


Chester  Rand.  201 

told  you.  He  offered  me  five  hundred  dollars 
apiece  cash  down." 

"  Don't  you  take  it !  They're  going  a  good 
deal  higher,  now  that  the  railroad  is  nearly 
completed." 

"  So  he  told  me." 

"  I  congratulate  you  on  your  good  luck, 
Chester.  I  am  sure  you  deserve  it.  But  you 
haven't  told  me  why  you  were  i  bounced.' ' 

"  Mr.  Mullins  said  I  wasted  time  in  going 
his  errands.  It  wasn't  true,  but  it  was  only  an 
excuse  to  get  rid  of  me.  He  took  his  cousin 
Felix  in  my  place." 

The  two  friends  went  to  dinner  about  six 
o'clock.  At  seven  they  came  downstairs  and 
sat  in  the  lobby  on  a  sofa  near  the  door. 

Through  the  portal  there  was  a  constant  in 
gress  and  egress  of  men — a  motley  crowd — 
business  men,  politicians,  professionals  aiid 
men  perhaps  of  shady  character,  for  a  great 
hotel  cannot  discriminate,  and  hundreds  pass 
in  and  out  who  are  not  guests  and  have  no 
connection  with  the  house. 

"  It  is  a  wonderful  place,  Chester/'  said  Mr. 
Perkins.  "  Everybody  seems  at  home  here.  I 
suppose  everybody — everybody,  at  least,  who  is 
presentable — in  New  York  comes  here  some 
time  during  the  year." 

Just  then  Chester  uttered  a  little  exclama 
tion  of  surprise.  As  if  to  emphasize  Mr.  Per 
kins'  remark,  two  persons  came  in  who  were 


Chester  Rand. 

very  well  known  to  the  young  artist.  They 
were  David  Mullins  and  Dick  Ealston. 

Mullins  heard  the  slight  exclamation  and 
turned  his  head  in  the  direction  of  the  sofa  on 
which  Chester  and  his  friend  were  sitting.  So 
did  Ralston. 

"  Why,  it's  your  old  boy !  "  he  said. 

Mullins  smiled  a  little  maliciously.  He  had 
not  heard  that  Chester  had  a  place. 

"  I  suppose  you  are  boarding  here,"  he  said, 
with  a  little  sarcasm. 

"  No,  Mr.  Mullins,  but  I  have  just  dined  here 
— with  my  friend,  Mr.  Perkins." 

Mullins  inclined  his  head  slightly. 

"  Has  he  adopted  you?  "  he  asked,  in  a  tone 
bordering  on  impertinence. 

"No,  sir,"  answered  Mr.  Perkins;  "but  if 
Chester  ever  wants  me  to,  I  will.  At  present 
he  is  prosperous,  and  requires  no  help  or  adop 
tion." 

"  Oh !  Have  you  got  a  place?  "  asked  Mul 
lins,  turning  to  Chester. 

"  Yes." 

"  In  the  same  business?  " 

"  No ;  I  am  in  the  office  of  a  weekly  paper." 

"Oh!"  said  the  bookkeeper,  disdainfully. 
"  They  pay  beggarly  salaries  at  such  places." 

"  Then  I  am  favored.  I  receive  more  than 
twice  as  much  as  I  did  in  your  office." 

Chester  did  not  care  to  just  state  how  much 
he  received. 

"  That  can't  be  possible !  " 


Chester  Rand.  203 

"  It  is  a  fact,  however.  Has  Mr.  Fairchild 
returned?  " 

"  No.     Why  do  you  want  to  know?  " 

"  I  have  no  wish  to  go  back,  Mr.  Mullins. 
Don't  be  apprehensive  of  that.  I  don't  wish 
to  disturb  Felix/' 

Dick  Ralston  listened  with  some  interest  to 
the  conversation. 

"  It  strikes  me  the  kid  has  come  to  no  harm 
from  being  discharged,"  he  said. 

"  I  believe  this  is  Mr.  Perkins,  of  Minne 
apolis?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  the  Westerner,  eying 
the  gambler  with  a  penetrating  glance. 

"  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  your  guide  if  you  wish 
to  see  something  of  New  York.  Will  you  join 
us  this  evening?" 

"  You  are  very  polite,  but  I  have  an  engage 
ment  with  Chester." 

"  A  mere  boy !  He  knows  nothing  about  the 
city." 

"  Still  I  am  satisfied  with  him." 

The  two  passed  on  and  went  into  the  bar 
room,  where  they  sat  down  at  a  table  and 
ordered  some  liquid  refreshment. 

"  Well,  Mullins,"  said  the  gambler,  "  I  am 
getting  impatient.  The  days  are  slipping  by, 
and  you  have  done  nothing." 

"  You  know  what  I  am  waiting  for.  Yester 
day  a  check  for  a  thousand  dollars  was  paid 
in  at  the  office,  and  deposited  in  the  bank  to- 
day." 


204  Chester  Rand. 

"Good!     And  then?" 

'•  I  will  send  Felix  to  the  bank  ana  draw  out 
sixteen  hundred.  Will  that  satisfy  you?" 

"  I  see,  and,  according  to  our  arrangement, 
rj'elix  will  hand  it  to  me  on  his  way  back  to  the 
office,  and  then  swear  that  it  was  taken  from 
him  by  some  unknown  party.  You  have 
coached  him,  have  you?  " 

"  Yes.  Of  course,  I  had  to  let  him  into  the 
secret  partially,  promising  him  twenty-five 
dollars  for  himself." 

"  Ten  would  have  been  sufficient." 

"  He  would  not  have  been  satisfied.  We  can 
spare  that." 

"  How  soon  do  you  expect  Fairchild  back?  " 

"  In  three  days." 

But  on  the  morrow  Mullins  was  discon 
certed  by  receiving  the  following  telegram: 

"  Expect  me  back  sometime  to-day.  FAIR- 
CHILD." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE  ATTEMPTED  ROBBERY. 

DICK  RALSTON  was  in  the  real  estate  office 
when  the  telegram  was  received.  Indeed,  he 
spent  a  good  deal  of  his  time  there,  so  that  it 
was  supposed  by  some  that  he  had  a  share  iu 
the  business. 


Chester  Rand. 

"  Look  at  that,  Dick !  "  said  the  bookkeeper, 
passing  the  telegram  to  his  confederate. 

"  Confusion !  What  sends  him  home  so 
soon?"  said  Ralston.  "  Do  you  suppose  he 
suspects  anything  ?" 

"  No.  How  can  he?  Perhaps, "  said  Mul- 
lins,  nervously,  "  we  had  better  give  up  the 
whole  thing.  You  see  how  I  will  be  placed. 
I'm  afraid  I  shall  be  suspected." 

"  Look  here !  "  growled  Ealston,  "  I  don't 
want  to  hear  any  such  weak,  puerile  talk.  How 
do  you  propose  to  pay  me  the  nine  hundred 
and  sixty-odd  dollars  you  owe  me?  Do  you 
expect  to  save  it  out  of  your  salary?  "  he  con 
cluded,  with  a  sneer. 

"  I  wish  we  had  never  met,"  said  the  book 
keeper,  in  a  troubled  tone. 

"Thank  you;  but  it  is  too  late  for  that. 
There  is  nothing  to  do  but  to  carry  out  our 
program.  How  much  money  is  there  on  de 
posit  in  the  bank?" 

"  About  twenty-four  hundred  dollars." 

"  Then  we  had  better  draw  out  more  than 
eighteen  hundred.  As  well  be  hanged  for  a 
sheep  as  for  a  lamb." 

"  You  forget,  Ralston,  that  such  a  wholesale 
draft  will  raise  suspicion  at  the  bank." 

"  You're  awfully  cautious." 

"  I  don't  want  everything  to  miscarry 
through  imprudence." 

"  Come,  it  is  ten  o'clock.  Better  send  Felix 
to  the  bank." 


206  Chester  Rand 

"  Better  wait  a  little  while.  If  we  drew  such 
a  large  amount  just  at  the  beginning  of  bank 
ing  hours,  the  bank  officers  might  suspect 
something." 

"  Cautious  again.  Well,  wait  half  an  hour, 
if  you  must.  Call  Felix  and  give  him  his  in 
structions." 

Felix  Gordon  came  in  at  this  moment,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  conference. 

"  Felix,"  said  the  bookkeeper,  "  you  remem 
ber  the  arrangement  I  made  with  vou  yester 
day?" 

"  Yes,  Cousin  David." 

"  It  is  to  be  carried  out  to-day.  I  shall  give 
you  a  check  for  eighteen  hundred  dollars,  and 
you  will  receive  the  money  and  come  from  the 
bank  here." 

"  Yes,  Cousin  David." 

"  You  will  carry  the  parcel  in  the  left-hand 
pocket  of  your  sack  coat,  and  if  it  is  taken  you 
can  appear  to  be  unconscious  of  it." 

"  Yes." 

"And — that  is  all  you  will  have  to  do,  ex 
cept  to  say  that  a  tall,  thin  man" — Ralston 
was  short  and  sturdy — "  jostled  against  you, 
and  must  have  taken  it." 

"  All  right !  I  see.  And  I  am  to  have 
twenty-five  dollars  for " 

"  Your  trouble.     Yes." 

"  Give  it  to  me  now." 

"  Wait  till  you  come  back.  Don't  be  afraid. 
You  will  get  it." 


Chester  Rand.  207 

"All  right." 

When  Felix  was  on  his  way  to  the  bank,  he 
did  not  know  that  he  was  followed  at  a  little 
distance  by  a  small  man  with  keen,  black  eyes, 
who,  without  appearing  to  do  so,  watched  care 
fully  every  movement  of  the  young  office  boy. 

When  Felix  entered  the  bank,  he  also  en 
tered  the  bank,  and  stood  behind  Felix  in  the 
line  at  the  paying  teller's  window. 

He  nodded  secretly  to  the  teller  when  that 
official  read  the  check  presented  by  Felix. 

"  Eighteen  hundred  dollars?  "  the  latter  re 
peated,  aloud. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  Felix,  composedly. 

"  I  shall  have  to  go  back  to  get  it.  We 
haven't  as  much  here." 

He  went  to  another  part  of  the  bank  and 
returned  after  a  time  with  three  packages. 
One  was  labeled  one  thousand  dollars,  another 
five  hundred  dollars  and  a  third  two  hundred 
dollars.  Then  he  counted  out  from  the  drawer 
beside  him  a  hundred  dollars  in  bills. 

Felix,  with  a  look  of  relief,  took  the  three 
parcels  and  dropped  them  carelessly  in  the 
side  pocket  of  his  sack  coat,  and  put  the  bills 
in  loose.  Then  he  started  on  his  way  back  to 
the  office. 

Mr.  Sharpleigh,  for  it  was  he,  as  the  reader 
has  doubtless  guessed,  walked  closely  behind 
him.  He  was  not  quite  sure  as  to  the  manner 
in  wrhich  the  money  was  to  be  taken,  but 
guessed  at  once  when  he  caught  sight  of  Dick 


Chester  Rand. 

Ralston  at  a  little  distance  with  his  eyes  in 
tently  fixed  upon  Felix. 

The  office  boy  sauntered  along,  with  nothing 
apparently  on  his  mind,  and  finally  stopped  in 
front  of  a  window  on  Union  Square,  which 
appeared  to  have  considerable  attraction  for 
him. 

Then  it  was  that  the  detective  saw  Ralston 
come  up,  and,  while  apparently  watching  the 
window  also,  thrust  his  hand  into  the  pocket 
of  the  office  boy  and  withdraw  the  package  of 
money,  which  he  at  once  slipped  into  his  own 
pocket. 

Mr.  Sharpleigh  smiled  a  little  to  himself. 

"  Very  neat !  "  he  soliloquized,  "  but  it  won't 
go  down,  my  cunning  friend." 

Felix  gave  a  little  side  glance,  seeing  what 
was  going  on,  but  immediately  stared  again  in 
at  the  window. 

Sharpleigh  beckoned  to  a  tall  man,  dressed 
as  a  civilian,  but  really  an  officer  in  plain 
clothes. 

"  Go  after  him ! "  he  said,  in  a  low  voice, 
indicating  Ralston. 

Then  he  followed  Felix,  who  in  about  five 
minutes  began  to  show  signs  of  agitation. 

He  thrust  his  hand  wildly  into  his  pocket, 
and  looked  panic-stricken. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  my  boy? "  asked 
Sharpleigh,  blandly. 

"  Oh,  sir,  I  have  been  robbed,"  faltered 
Felix. 


Chester  Rand.  209 

"Bobbed— of  what?" 

"  I  had  eighteen  hundred  dollars  in  bank 
bills  in  my  pocket,  in  four  parcels,  and— and 
they  must  have  been  taken  while  I  was  looking 
in  at  this  window." 

"  You  seefn  to  have  been  very  careless? " 
said  Sharpleigh.  "  Why  were  you  not  more 
careful  when  you  knew  you  had  so  much  money 
in  your  care?  " 

"  I — I  ought  to  have  been,  I  know  :-t3  sir, 
but  I  wasn't  thinking." 

"  Where  are  you  employed?  ' 

"  At  Mr.  Fairchild's  office,  on  Fourteenth 
Street." 

"  The  real  estate  agent?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  know  the  place." 

"  My  cousin  is  the  bookkeeper.  He  will  be 
so  angry  with  me." 

"  I  think  he  will  have  reason.  I  saw  a  man 
following  you  rather  closely,  I  presume  he  took 
the  money." 

"  Oh,  won't  you  come  back  to  the  office  with 
me  and  tell  my  cousin  that?  I  am  afraid  he 
will  discharge  me." 

"  Yes,  I  will  go  with  you." 

So  it  happened  that  Felix  and  Mr.  Sharp 
leigh  went  together  into  the  office  where  Mul- 
lins  was  eagerly  waiting  for  the  return  of  his 
emissary. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Felix?  "  he  said,  as  the 
boy  entered.  "  Have  you  brought  the  money?  " 


210  Chester  Rand. 

"Oh,  Cousin  David,  I  am  so  sorry." 

"So  sorry?     For  what?" 

"  I — I  have  lost  the  money.  A  pickpocket 
took  it  while  I  was  looking  in  at  a  window. 
This  gentleman  was  near  and  he  saw  a  sus 
picious-looking  man  next  to  me." 

"  This  is  a  strange  story,  Felix.  We  must 
notify  the  police  at  once.  Did  you  see  anyone 
likely  to  commit  the  theft,  sir?  " 

This  was,  of  course,  addressed  to  Mr.  Sharp- 
lei  gh. 

"  Yes." 

"  You  will  be  willing  to  testify  to  this  at  the 
police  office?  You  see,  this  boy  is  my  cousin. 
Mr.  Fairchild  is  away,  and  I  shall  be  blamed 
for  this  terrible  loss.  Why,  there  were  eighteen 
hundred  dollars  in  the  parcel ! " 

"  There  were  three  parcels,  and  a  roll  of 
bills,  Cousin  David." 

Mr.  Mullins  looked  surprised. 

"  Then  it  was  not  all  put  in  one  parcel?  "  he 
said. 

"  No." 

"  That  is  strange.  I — I  don't  know  what  to 
do.  Mr.  Fairchild  has  telegraphed  that  he 
will  be  at  home  sometime  during  the  day. 
Probably  I  had  better  wait  till  he  comes  be 
fore  notifying  the  police." 

This  he  said  in  a  questioning  sort  of  way,  as 
if  asking  Sharpleigh's  advice. 

"  That  will  give  the  thief  a  chance  to  es 
cape,"  suggested  the  detective. 


Chester  Rand.  21 1 

"  True.  Perhaps  you  will  be  kind  enough 
to  leave  word  at  the  nearest  police  office.  I 
only  wish  Mr.  Fairchild  were  here." 

"  All  right,  sir,"  said  the  detective,  "  I  will 
comply  with  your  request." 

He  left  the  office,  but  it  is  needless  to  say 
that  he  didn't  go  far  away. 

"  This  is  a  very  interesting  comedy,"  he  mur 
mured,  rubbing  his  hands,  "  a  very  interesting 
comedy,  and  apparently  played  for  my  bene 
fit." 

"  Now,  Felix,"  said  the  bookkeeper,  "  tell 
me  how  it  all  came  out.  Did  the  paying  tel 
ler  look  suspicious  when  you  presented  the 
check?" 

"  No.  He  said  he  hadn't  as  much  money  in 
the  drawer,  and  went  to  the  safe  in  the  back 
part  of  the  bank.  He  returned  with  three 
parcels  of  bills  in  brown  paper,  and  a  hun 
dred  dollars  loose." 

"  And  then  you  put  it  in  your  pocket?  " 

"  Yes,  Cousin  David ;  I  did  exactly  as  you 
told  me.  I  put  them  in  my  pocket  and  walked 
back  in  a  leisurely  way." 

"  Did  you  see  anything  of  Kalston?  " 

"  Yes,  I  saw  him  out  of  the  corner  of  my  eye, 
while  I  was  looking  in  at  a  window  on  Union 
Square." 

"  He  took  the  money?  " 

"  Yes.  Now,  Cousin  David,  give  me  the 
twenty-five  dollars." 

At  that  instant  the  door  was  opened  sud- 


212  Chester  Rand, 

denly,  and  Dick  Ralston  dashed  into  the  office, 
looking  very  much  excited. 

"  Mullins,"  he  said,  "  we've  been  sold — sold 
— regularly  sold.  Look  at  this ! "  and  he 
showed  one  of  the  brown  packages  partly  torn 
open. 

"  Well,"  said  the  bookkeeper,  "  what's  the 
matter?  " 

"  Matter?  Matter  enough.  Here's  a  pack 
age  marked  one  thousand  dollars,  and  it  con 
tains  only  slips  of  green  paper  in  place  of  bills. 
You  can  see  for  yourself." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

A    DAY  OF  SURPRISES. 

THE  bookkeeper  looked  amazed. 

He  turned  to  Felix. 

"  Was  this  package  given  you  at  the  bank  ?  " 
he  asked. 

"  Yes,"  answered  Felix. 

"  I  don't  understand  it  Do  you  think  they 
suspected  anything? "  he  continued,  turning 
to  Ralston. 

"What  could  they  suspect?"  growled  Dick. 
"  It's  a  pretty  trick  for  a  respectable  bank  to 
play  on  a  customer." 

"  Was  all  the  money  bogus?  "  asked  Mullins. 

"  Here  are  a  hundred  dollars  in  good  bills." 


Chester  Rand.  213 

"  Have  you  opened  any  of  the  other  pack 
ages?" 

"  No,  but  I  will." 

The  gambler  tore  off  a  little  of  the  outer 
paper  from  the  five-hundred-dollar  and  two- 
hundred-collar  packages,  only  to  discover  that 
their  contents  were  no  more  valuable  than 
those  of  the  first  bundle. 

"  I'd  like  to  know  what  all  this  means,"  said 
Ralston.  "Is  it  a  trick  of  yours?"  he  de 
manded,  looking  suspiciously  at  Mullins. 

"  No.  On  my  honor,  no.  It  is  very  puz 
zling.  They  must  have  made  a  mistake  at  the 
bank." 

"  Send  the  boy  back." 

"  It  won't  do.  He  has  already  reported  that 
he  has  been  robbed.  It's — it's  very  awk 
ward." 

"You  must  do  something,"  said  Dick  Rals 
ton,  harshly.  "  I'm  not  going  to  be  swindled 
in  this  way." 

It  was  at  this  point  that  the  office  door  was 
heard  to  open.  Mr.  Sharpleigh  entered  and 
fixed  his  glance  on  Ralston. 

"  Mr.  Mullins,"  he  said,  "  you  wish  to  know 
xvho  robbed  your  office  boy  of  the  money  he 
drew  from  the  bank?  " 

"  Yes,"  faltered  Mullins. 

"  There  he  stands !  "  answered  Sharpleigh, 
calmly,  pointing  to  Ralston. 

"  It's  a — lie !  "  exclaimed  the  gambler,  but 
he  turned  pale. 


214  Chester  Rand. 

"  I  saw  the  robbery  with  my  own  eyes," 

went  on  the  detective,  "  and "  he  turned 

his  eyes  to  the  door,  which  opened  to  admit  a 
stalwart  policeman. 

"  Arrest  that  man ! "  said  the  detective. 
"  He  lay  in  wait  for  the  office  boy,  and  on  his 
return  from  the  bank  robbed  him  of  a  large 
sum  of  money  which  he  had  just  drawn  out." 

"  Who  are  you?  "  demanded  Ralston,  trying 
to  brazen  it  out. 

"  I  am  James  Sharpleigh,  a  detective/' 

Mullins  listened  in  dismay,  for  Sharpleigh's 
name  was  familiar  to  him  as  one  of  the  clever 
est  detectives  in  the  city. 

"  And  who  authorized  you  to  meddle  in  a 
matter  that  did  not  concern  you?  " 

The  answer  came  from  an  unexpected 
quarter.  Mr.  Fairchild,  valise  in  hand  and 
dusty  with  travel,  entered  the  office.  He  heard 
the  question,  and  quickly  comprehended  the 
situation. 

"  It  is  nearly  two  weeks,"  he  said,  "  since  I 
engaged  Mr.  Sharpleigh  to  watch  what  was 
going  on  in  the  office.  Chester  Rand  tele 
graphed  me  that  he  had  been  discharged,  and 
my  suspicions  were  excited." 

"  So  it's  that  boy ! "  muttered  the  book 
keeper,  spitefully. 

"  I  left  all  to  the  discretion  of  my  friend 
Sharpleigh,  who  has  justified  my  confidence. 
I  shall  have  to  ask  him  to  throw  light  on  the 
present  situation." 


Chester  Rand.  215 

This  the  detective  did  in  a  few  brief  sen 
tences. 

"Am  I  to  arrest  this  man?"  asked  the 
policeman. 

"  Yes,"  answered  the  broker,  sternly.  "  Mr. 
Sharpleigh,  will  you  accompany  the  officer  and 
prefer  charges?  " 

"  See  here,"  said  Ralston,  with  an  ugly  look, 
"  I'm  not  going  to  be  a  scapegoat.  Your  book 
keeper  put  up  this  job." 

Mr.  Fairchild  turned  slowly  and  regarded 
David  Mullins  attentively. 

"  I  will  bear  in  mind  what  you  say,"  he  an 
swered. 

"  I  took  nothing  of  value,"  continued  Rals 
ton,  "  and  you  can't  hold  me.  Here  are  three 
packages  filled  with  green  paper." 

"  Yes,"  said  Sharpleigh,  "  the  bank  teller 
w^s  acting  under  my  instructions.  I  took 
cfre,  however,  to  have  one  roll  of  genuine 
Mils." 

When  the  three  had  left  the  office  Mr.  Fair- 
child  turned  to  the  bookkeeper. 

Mr.  Mullins,"  he  said,  "  what  could  induce 
you  to  engage  in  such  a  wicked  plot?  " 

"  I  don't  admit  any  complicity  in  the  affair," 
replied  the  bookkeeper,  in  a  surly  tone. 

"  Have  you  seen  Chester  Rand  lately?  " 

"  I  saw  him  last  evening  at  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel."  , 

"Why  did  you  discharge  him?" 

"  I  thought  him  unfit  for  his  place." 


216  Chester  Rand. 

"  There  may  be  a  difference  of  opinion  on 
that  point.  This  boy,"  he  added,  significantly, 
"  is  a  relative  of  yours,  I  believe." 

"  Yes." 

"  Will  you  give  me  an  idea  of  what  !ias  been 
done  during  my  absence?  " 

Together  the  broker  and  the  bookkeeper 
went  over  the  books.  Then  Mr.  Fairchild 
went  out  to  dinner. 

He  was  no  sooner  out  of  the  office  than  Mul- 
lins  said :  "  Felix,  remain  here  till  Mr.  Fair- 
child  returns.  I  am  going  out  on  an  errand." 

He  opened  the  safe,  drew  therefrom  a  small 
package  and  left  the  office. 

Half  an  hour  later  he  was  on  a  Cortlandt 
Street  ferryboat  bound  for  the  Jersey  shore. 

The  package  which  he  to.ok  with  him  con 
tained  four  hundred  dollars  in  bills,  which  he 
had  drawn  from  the  bank  the  day  previous 
without  the  knowledge  of  his  confederate.  He 
had  been  providing  for  contingencies. 

When  Mr.  Fairchild  returned  Felix  de 
livered  the  message. 

The  broker  at  once  looked  suspicious. 

"  Did  Mr.  Mullins  say  where  he  was  going?  " 
he  asked. 

"  Yes,  sir.  He  said  he  wras  going  out  on  an 
errand." 

"  Did  he  take  anything  with  him?  " 

"  I  didn't  observe,  sir." 

When  Sharpleigh  came  in  a  little  later  he 
looked  about  him  inquiringly. 


Chester  Rand.  217 

"Where's  Mullins?" 

"  I  don't  think  we  shall  see  him  again  very 
soon/'  and  the  broker  told  the  detective  what 
he  knew  about  his  disappearance. 

Sharpleigh  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  He  has  been  too  sharp  for  us,"  he  said. 
"  Do  you  want  me  to  do  anything?  " 

"  No ;  his  loss  of  place  and  reputation  will 
be  a  sufficient  punishment." 

At  the  close  of  the  day  Felix  said :  "  I  sup 
pose  you  don't  want  me  any  more." 

"  You  can  stay  till  the  end  of  the  week.  I 
have  not  had  time  to  form  any  plans." 

«  DO — do  you  think  Cousin  David  will  come 
back?" 

"  I  think  it  very  improbable,"  said  the 
broker,  seriously.  "  Can  you  throw  any  light 
on  the  events  of  to-day?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"Go  on.     Was  the  robbery  planned?" 

"  Yes,  sir.  I  was  to  receive  twenty-five  dol 
lars  for  my  share." 

"  I  believe  you  know  Chester  Rand?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Do  you  know  where  he  lives?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Will  you  ask  him  to  call  here  to-morrow?  '' 

"  I  will,  sir;  but  he  tells  me  he  has  a  good 
place,  and  would  not  care  to  return." 

"  I  am  aware  of  that.  It  is  possible  I  may 
retain  you " 

"  Oh,  sir,  if  you  would !  " 


218  Chester  Rand. 

"  On  condition  that  you  agree  to  serve  me 
faithfully." 

This  was  quite  beyond  the  expectations  of 
Felix. 

"  I  will  try  to  do  so,"  he  said,  earnestly. 

"  You  have  begun  well  by  confessing  your 
share  in  the  plot  which  came  so  near  being 
successful.  As  your  day's  work  is  ended,  I 
will  consider  the  errand  on  wrhich  I  am  sending 
you  extra,  and  will  pay  you  for  it." 

The  broker  handed  a  half  dollar  to  Felix, 
which  he  accepted  joyfully. 

"  I  don't  much  care  if  Cousin  David  has  gone 
away,"  he  soliloquized.  "  Mr.  Fairchild  seems 
a  good  sort  of  man,  and  I'll  do  my  best  to 
please  him." 

When  Felix  was  ushered  into  Chester's  pres 
ence  the  latter  was  just  finishing  a  comic 
sketch  for  The  Phoenix. 

"  What's  that? "  asked  Felix,  in  surprise, 
for  he  was  quite  unaware  of  Chester's  artistic 
gifts. 

Chester  showed  it  to  him  with  a  smile. 

"  Now  you  see  how  I  am  making  my  living," 
he  said. 

"  Do  you  get  pay  for  that?" 

"  Yes,  certainly." 

Then  Felix  bethought  himself  of  his  errand. 

"  There's  a  great  row  at  the  office,"  he  said. 
"  Mr.  Fairchild  has  got  home,  Cousin  David 
has  run  away  and  Mr.  Ralston  is  arrested." 


Chester  Rand.  219 


"  That's  a  budget  of  news.  When  did  Mr. 
Fairchild  return?" 

"  This  forenoon.  He  wants  you  to  call  to 
morrow." 

"  All  right.     I  will  do  so." 

"  And  if  he  offers  you  back  your  old  place 
you  won't  take  it?  "  said  Felix,  anxiously.  "  If 
you  don't,  I  think  he'll  keep  me." 

"  Then  I'll  promise  not  to  accept.  I  am 
better  satisfied  where  I  am.  Have  you  had 
supper,  Felix?  " 

"  No." 

"  Then  come  and  take  supper  with  me.  I 
go  out  about  this  time." 

"  It  had  certainly  been  a  day  of  surprises," 
as  Felix  reflected  when  he  found  himself 
seated  opposite  a  boy  whom  he  had  always  dis 
liked,  as  his  guest. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

EDWARD    GRANGER. 

"  I  SUPPOSE  you  don't  care  to  come  back  to 
the  office,  Chester?  "  said  Mr.  Fairchild,  when 
Chester  called  upon  him  the  next  day  at  the 
office. 

"  I  like  my  present  position  better,"  an 
swered  Chester ;  "  besides,  I  suppose  you  are 


22O  Chester  Rand. 

hardly  prepared  to  offer  me  twenty-five  dollars 
a  week.'7 

"  Do  you  receive  as  much  as  that?"  asked 
the  broker,  in  amazement. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  I  congratulate  you  heartily/'  said  Mr. 
Fairchild.  "  It  is  clear  that  you  are  too  high 
priced  for  the  real  estate  business." 

"  Felix  tells  me  you  may  retain  him." 

"  1  will  give  him  a  chance.  It  depends  upon 
himself  whether  he  stays." 

"  I  am  very  glad  of  it,  sir.  Felix  has  hardly 
been  my  friend,  but  now  that  his  cousin  is 
away  he  may  improve.  I  certainly  hope  so." 

"  What  shall  you  do  about  Ralston?  "  asked 
Chester,  presently. 

"  I  shall  proceed  against  him.  Such  a  man 
is  a  curse  to  the  community.  It  was  through 
him  that  my  bookkeeper  lost  his  integrity  and 
ruined  his  prospects.  If  he  is  locked  up  he 
will  be  prevented  from  doing  any  more  harm." 

As  Dick  Ralston  will  not  again  figure  in 
this  story,  it  may  be  mentioned  here  that  he 
was  found  guilty  in  the  trial  that  soon  fol 
lowed,  and  was  sentenced  to  a  term  of  several 
years'  imprisonment. 

The  bitterest  reflection  he  had  when  sen 
tence  was  pronounced  was  that  his  confeder 
ate,  Mullins,  had  escaped  and  was  a  free  man. 
Rogues  may  work  together,  but  it  is  seldom 
that  any  tie  of  friendship  exists  between  them. 

Chester  was  now  able  to  save  money.     In- 


Chester  Rand.  221 

eluding  what  he  received  from  Prof.  Hazlitt, 
his  income  was  about  thirty-five  dollars  a 
week. 

His  personal  expenses  were  greater  than 
they  had  been,  on  account  of  having  a  more 
expensive  room.  Yet  altogether  they  did  not 
exceed  twelve  dollars  per  week,  leaving  him  a 
balance  of  twenty-three. 

Of  this  sum  he  proposed  to  send  his  mother 
a  part,  but  she  wrote  that  the  liberal  board 
paid  by  Miss  Jane  Dolby  covered  all  her  ex 
penses. 

"  I  hope  if  you  have  money  to  spare  you  will 
put  it  in  some  savings  bank,"  she  wrote.  "  At 
present  we  are  well  and  prospering,  but  the 
time  may  come  when  our  income  will  be  dimin 
ished,  and  then  it  will  be  very  comfortable  to 
have  some  money  laid  aside." 

Chester  acted  upon  his  mother's  suggestion. 
He  did  not  tell  her  how  much  he  earned.  He 
wished  this  to  be  an  agreeable  surprise  at  some 
future  day. 

Then  Chester  moved  into  a  larger  room.  Tbs 
hall  bedroom  which  he  had  hitherto  occupied 
was  taken  by  a  young  man  of  nineteen  named 
Edward  Granger.  He  wras  slender  and  looked 
younger  than  he  was. 

He  did  not  seem  strong,  and  there  was  a 
sad  expression  on  his  face.  Sometimes  he 
called  on  Chester,  but  for  several  days  they 
had  not  met.  About  six  o'clock  one  afternoon 
Chester  knocked  at  his  door. 


222  Chester  Rand. 

"  Come  in !  "  he  heard,  in  a  low  voice. 

Entering,  he  saw  Edward  lying  on  the  bed 
face  downward,  in  an  attitude  of  despondency. 

"What's  the  matter,  Edward?"  he  asked. 
"  Are  you  sick?  " 

"  Yes,  sick  at  heart,"  was  the  sad  reply. 

"  How  is  that?  "  inquired  Chester,  in  a  tone 
of  sympathy. 

"  I  have  lost  my  place." 

"When  was  that?" 

"  Three  days  since.  My  employer  has  en 
gaged  in  my  place  a  boy  from  the  country — his 
nephewr — and  I  am  laid  aside." 

"  That  is  unfortunate,  certainly,  but  you 
must  try  to  get  another  place.  Your  employer 
will  give  you  a  recommendation,  won't  he?  " 

"  Yes,  I  have  one  in  my  pocket,  but  it  is  not 
easy  to  get  a  new  place,  and  meanwhile — 
He  hesitated. 

"  Meanwhile  you  are  out  of  money,  I  sup 
pose,"  said  Chester. 

"  Yes ;  I  couldn't  save  anything.  I  got  only 
five  dollars  a  week,  and  my  room  costs  two.  I 
suppose,  when  the  week  is  up,  Mrs.  Randolph 
will  turn  me  into  the  street." 

"  Not  while  you  have  a  friend  in  the  next 
room,  said  Chester,  cordially. 

Edward  looked  up  quickly. 

*  Will  you  really  be  my  friend?  "  he  asked. 

"  Try  me.     Have  you  had  supper?  " 

"  I  have  not  eaten  anything  for  two  days," 
answered  Granger,  sadly. 


Chester  Rand.  223 

"  Why  didn't  you  call  upon  me?  I  wouldn't 
have  seen  you  suffer." 

"  I  didn't  like  to  ask.  I  thought  you  would 
consider  me  a  beggar." 

"  You  will  understand  me  better  after  a 
while.  Now  put  on  your  hat  and  come  out 
with  me." 

Edward  did  so,  but  he  was  so  weak  from 
long  fasting  that  he  was  obliged  to  lean  upon 
Chester  in  walking  to  the  restaurant,  which 
was  luckily  near  by. 

"  Let  me  advise  you  to  take  some  soup  first," 
said  Chester.  "  Your  stomach  is  weak,  and 
that  will  prepare  it  for  heartier  food." 

"  I  don't  feel  hungry,"  returned  Edward. 
"  I  only  feel  faint." 

"It  may  be  well  not  to  eat  very  much  at 
first." 

"  How  kind  you  are !  I  must  be  two  or  three 
years  older  than  yoja,  yet  you  care  for  and  ad 
vise  me." 

"  Consider  me  your  uncle,"  said  Chester, 
brightly.  "  Now  tell  me  how  it  happens  that 
you  didn't  apply  to  some  friend  or  relative." 

A  shadow  passed  over  the  boy's  face. 

"  I  have  none  in  New  York — except  your 
self." 

"  Then  you  are  not  a  city  boy." 

"  No ;  I  came  from  Portland." 

"In  Maine?" 

"  No;  in  Oregon." 

"  You  have  relatives  there?  " 


224  Chester  Rand. 

"  A  mother." 

"  I  suppose  you  hear  from  her?  " 

Edward  Granger  was  silent. 

"  I  don't  wish  you  to  tell  me  if  yon  have  an 
objection." 

"  Yes,  I  will  tell  you,  for  I  think  you  are  a 
true  friend.  My  mother  is  married  again,  and 
my  stepfather  from  the  first  disliked  me.  I 
think  it  is  because  my  mother  had  money,  and 
he  feared  she  would  leave  it  to  me.  So  he  got 
up  a  false  charge  against  me  of  dishonesty. 
My  mother  became  cold  to  me,  and  I — left 
home.  I  am  of  a  sensitive  nature,  and  I  could 
not  bear  the  cold  looks  I  met  with." 

"  How  long  ago  was  this?  " 

"  About  six  months  since." 

"  You  came  to  New  York  directly?  " 

"  Yes." 

"  Where  did  you  get  the  money  to  come?  " 

"  I  came  by  it  honestly,"  answered  Edward, 
quickly.  "  I  had  a  deposit  in  a  savings  bank, 
put  in  during  my  own  father's  life.  I  felt  I 
had  a  right  to  use  this,  and  I  did  so.  It 
brought  me  to  New  York,  and  kept  me  here 
till  I  got  a  place  in  an  insurance  office." 

"  And  you  managed  to  live  on  five  dollars  a 
week  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  it  was  hard,  but  I  went  to  the  cheap 
est  eating  houses,  and  I — got  along." 

"  But  you  had  no  money  to  buy  clothing." 

"  I  brought  a  fair  supply  with  me.     Now  I 


Chester  Rand.  225 

am  beginning  to  need  some  small  articles,  such 
as  handkerchiefs  and  socks." 

"  I  wondered  you  would  never  go  to  supper 
with  me." 

"  I  didn't  want  you  to  know  how  little  I 
ordered.  You  might  have  thought  me  mean." 

"  Poor  fellow ! "  said  Chester,  pityingly. 
"  You  have  certainly  had  a  hard  time.  And 
all  the  while  your  mother  was  living  in  com 
fort." 

"  Yes,  in  luxury,  for  she  is  worth  at  least 
fifty  thousand  dollars  in  her  own  right." 

"  I  hope  your  stepfather  has  not  got  pos 
session  of  it." 

"  He  had  not  when  I  came  away.  My 
mother  is  naturally  cautious,  and  would  not 
give  it  to  him.  He  attributed  this  to  my  in 
fluence  over  her,  but  it  was  not  so.  She  is  of 
Scotch  descent,  and  this  made  her  careful 
about  giving  up  her  property.  She  allowed 
him  the  use  of  the  income,  only  reserving  a 
little  for  herself." 

"  Have  you  had  any  communication  with 
her  since  you  left  Portland?  " 

"  I  wrote  her  once,  but  received  no  answer." 

"  The  letter  may  not  have  reached  her.  It 
may  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  your  step 
father.  What  is  his  name?  " 

"  Trimble— Abner  Trimble." 

"  Was  he  in  any  business?  " 

"  Yes ;  he  kept  a  liquor  saloon,  and  pat- 


220  Chester  Rand 

ponized  his  own  bar  too  much  for  his  own 
good/' 

"  I  shouldn't  think  your  mother  would  like 
to  have  him  in  that  business." 

"  She  asked  him  to  change  it,  but  he 
wouldn't.  He  had  a  set  of  disreputable  com 
panions  who  made  his  saloon  their  head 
quarters,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  give  them  up, 
as  he  might  have  had  to  do  if  he  had  gone  into 
another  business." 

By  this  time  supper  was  over,  and  the  two 
walked  to  Broadway.  Edward  felt  stronger, 
and  his  eye  was  brighter. 

Suddenly  he  gripped  Chester's  arm. 

"  Do  you  see  that  man?  "  he  asked,  pointing 
to  a  black-bearded  man  on  the  other  side  of 
the  street. 

"Yes;  what  of  him?" 

"  It  is  a  gentleman  from  Portland,  a  neigh 
bor  of  ours.  What  can  he  be  doing  in  New 
York?" 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

A  FRIEND  FROM  OREGON. 

"  Go  over  and  speak  to  him,"  suggested 
Chester. 

"  Come  with  me,  then." 

The  two  boys  crossed  the  street  and  inter 
cepted  the  man  from  Portland.  He  was  of 


Chester  Rand  227 

medium  height,  with  dark  hair,  and  had  a 
brisk,  Western  way  with  him. 

"  Don't  you  remember  me,  Mr.  Wilson? " 
said  Edward. 

"What!  Edward  Granger?"  ejaculated 
the  Oregonian.  "  Well,  I  am  glad  to  see  you. 
Didn't  know  what  had  become  of  you.  Are 
you  living  here?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  Let  me  introduce  my  friend, 
Chester  Band." 

"  Glad  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Hand,"  said  Wilson, 
heartily.  "  So  you  are  a  friend  of  Edward's." 

"  Indeed  he  is,  an  excellent  friend ! "  ex 
claimed  young  Granger.  "  Have  you — seen  my 
mother  lately?  " 

"  Come  over  to  my  hotel  and  I'll  answer  all 
your  questions.  I'm  stopping  at  the  Conti 
nental,  on  the  next  block." 

"  All  right!    Will  you  come,  Chester?  " 

"Yes;  I  shall  be  glad  to." 

They  were  soon  sitting  in  the  office  of  the 
Continental  Hotel,  at  the  corner  of  Broadway 
and  Twentieth  Street. 

"  Now  I'll  answer  your  questions,"  said 
Nathaniel  Wilson.  "  Yes,  I  saw  your  mother 
the  day  before  I  set  out." 

"And  is  she  well?"  asked  Edward,  anx 
iously. 

"  She  was  looking  somewhat  careworn.  She 
probably  misses  you." 

"  She  never  writes  to  me,"  said  Edward, 


228  Chester  Rand. 

"  It  may  be  because  she  doesn't  know  your 
address.  Then  your  stepfather  keeps  her 
prejudiced  against  you." 

"  I  suppose  there  is  no  change  in  him?  " 

"  No ;  except  that  he  is  drinking  harder  than 
ever.  His  business  is  against  him,  though  he 
would  drink  even  if  he  didn't  keep  a  saloon." 

"  Does  he  treat  my  mother  well?  " 

"  I  think  he  does.  I  have  never  heard  any 
thing  to  the  contrary.  You  see,  he  wouldn't 
dare  to  do  otherwise,  as  your  mother  has  the 
property,  and  he  wants  to  keep  in  with  her  in 
order  to  get  a  share." 

"  I  have  been  afraid  that  she  would  give  a 
part  to  him." 

"  Thus  far  J  am  confident  she  hasn't  done  it. 
She  is  Scotch,  isn't  she? ' 

"  Yes ;  her  name  was  Downie,  and  she  was 
born  in  Glasgow,  but  came  to  this  country  at 
an  early  age." 

"  The  Scotch  are  careful  and  conservative." 

"  She  probably  gives  most  of  her  income  to 
Trimble — indeed,  he  collects  her  rents — but 
the  principal  she  keeps  in  her  own  hands. 
Once  I  heard  your  stepfather  complaining 
bitterly  of  this.  6  My  wife,'  he  said,  i  treats  me 
very  badly.  She's  rolling  in  wealth,  and  I  am 
a  poor  man,  obliged  to  work  early  and  late  for 
a  poor  living.' ' 

"  He  pays  nothing  toward  the  support  of  the 
house,"  said  Edward,  indignantly.  "  Mother 


Chester  Rand.  229 

pays  all  bills,  and  gives  him  money  for  himself 
besides.'' 

"  I  don't  see  how  she  could  have  married 
such  a  man !  " 

"  Nor  I.  He  seems  coarse,  and  is  half  the 
time  under  the  influence  of  drink." 

"  I  wonder  whether  he  has  induced  your  mo 
ther  to  make  a  will  in  his  favor,"  said  Wilson, 
thoughtfully.  "If  he  did,  I  think  her  life 
would  be  in  danger." 

Edward  turned  pale  at  this  suggestion. 

"  I  don't  care  so  much  for  the  property,"  he 
said,  "  but  I  can't  bear  to  think  of  my  mother's 
life  as  being  in  danger. 

"  Probably  your  mother's  caution  will  serve 
her  a  good  turn  here  also,"  said  Wilson.  "  It 
isn't  best  to  borrow  trouble.  I  will  keep 
watch,  and  if  I  see  or  hear  of  anything  alarm 
ing  I  will  write  you.  But  now  tell  me  about 
yourself.  Are  you  at  work?  " 

"  Not  just  at  present,"  replied  Edward,  em 
barrassed. 

"  But  I  think  I  can  get  him  another  place  in 
a  day  or  two,"  said  Chester,  quickly. 

"  If  you  need  a  little  money,  call  on  me," 
added  the  warm-hearted  Westerner.  "  You 
know  you  used  to  call  me  your  uncle  Nathan 
iel." 

"  I  wouldn't  like  to  borrow,"  said  Edward, 
shyly. 

"  When  was  your  birthday?  " 

"  A  month  ago." 


230  Chester  Rand, 

"  Then  I  must  give  you  a  birthday  present 
You  can't  object  to  that,"  and  Mr.  Wilson  took 
a  ten-dollar  gold  piece  from  his  pocket  and 
pressed  it  upon  Edward. 

"  Thank  you  very  much.  I  can't  decline  a 
birthday  gift." 

"  That's  what  I  thought.  I  am  an  old 
friend,  and  have  a  right  to  remember  you. 
Was  Mr.  Rand  in  the  same  office  with  you?  " 

"  No ;  Chester  is  an  artist." 

"  An  artist !  A  boy  like  him !  "  ejaculated 
the  Oregonian  in  surprise. 

Chester  smiled. 

"  I  am  getting  older  every  day,"  he  said. 

"  That's  what's  the  matter  with  me,"  re 
joined  Mr.  Wilson.  '"You  haven't  any  gray 
hair  yet,  while  I  have  plenty." 

"  Not  quite  yet,"  smiled  Chester. 

"  What  kind  of  an  artist  are  you?  " 

"  I  make  drawings  for  an  illustrated  weekly. 
It  is  a  comic  paper." 

"  And  perhaps  you  put  your  friends  in 
occasionally?  " 

"  Not  friends  exactly,  but  sometimes  I 
sketch  a  face  I  meet  in  the  street." 

"  You  may  use  me  whenever  you  want  a 
representative  of  the  wild  and  woolly  West." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Wilson." 

"  But  in  that  case  you  must  send  me  a  copy 
of  the  paper." 

"  I  won't  forget  it." 


Chester  Rand  231 

"  How  long  are  you  staying  in  New  York, 
Mr.  Wilson?  "  asked  Edward. 

"  I  go  away  to-morrow.  You  must  spend  the 
evening  with  me." 

"  I  should  like  to  do  so.  It  seems  good  to 
see  an  old  friend." 

"  By  and  by  we  will  go  to  Delmonico's  and 
have  an  ice  cream.  I  suppose  you  have  been 
there?  " 

"  No ;  office  boys  don't  often  patronize  Del- 
monico.  They  are  more  likely  to  go  to  Beef 
steak  John's." 

"  I  never  heard  that  name.  Is  it  a  fashion 
able  place?  " 

"  Yes,  with  those  of  small  pocketbooks.  It 
is  a  perfectly  respectable  place,  but  people 
living  on  Fifth  Avenue  prefer  the  Brunswick 
or  Delmonico's." 

Edward  brightened  up  so  much  owing  to  the 
presence  of  a  friend  from  his  distant  home  that 
Chester  could  hardly  believe  that  it  was  the 
same  boy  whom  he  had  found  but  a  short  time 
before  in  the  depths  of  despondency. 

About  nine  o'clock  they  adjourned  to  Del- 
omnico's  and  ordered  ices  and  cake. 

"  This  seems  a  tiptop  place,"  said  the  Ore- 
gonian,  looking  about  him.  "  We  haven't  got 
anything  equal  to  it  in  Portland,  but  we  may 
have  sometime.  The  Western  people  are  pro 
gressive.  We  don't  want  to  be  at  the  tail  end 
of  the  procession.  Mr.  Rand,  you  ought  to 
come  out  and  see  something  of  the  West,  par- 


232  Chester  Rand. 

ticularly  of  the  Pacific  coast.  You  may  not 
feel  an  interest  in  it  at  present,  but " 

"  I  have  more  interest  in  it  than  you  im 
agine,  Mr.  Wilson.  I  have  some  property  at 
Tacoma." 

"  You  don't  mean  it !  What  kind  of  prop 
erty?  " 

"  I  own  five  lots  there." 

"  Then  you  are  in  luck.  Lots  in  Tacoma  are 
rising  every  day." 

"  But  it  wouldn't  be  well  to  sell  at  present, 
would  it?" 

"  No ;  the  railroad  has  only  recently  been 
completed,  and  the  growth  of  Tacoma  has  only 
just  begun." 

"  I  hope  to  go  West  some  day." 

"  When  you  do  you  must  call  on  me.  Per 
haps  you  will  come,  too,  Edward?  " 

Edward  Granger  shook  his  head. 

"  It  won't  be  worth  while  for  me  to  go  back 
while  Mr.  Trimble  is  alive.  He  seems  to  have 
such  an  influence  over  my  mother  that  it  would 
not  be  pleasant  for  me  to  go  there  and  have  a 
cold  reception  from  her." 

"  I  will  call  on  her  and  mention  your  name. 
Then  I  can  see  how  the  land  lays.  How  she 
can  prefer  such  a  man  as  Abner  Trimble  to  her 
own  son  I  can't  understand." 

About  ten  o'clock  the  two  boys  left  Mr.  Wil 
son,  who  had  been  going  about  all  day  and 
showed  signs  of  fatigue. 


Chester  Rand.  233 

"  Shan't  I  see  you  again,  Mr.  Wilson? " 
asked  Edward. 

"  No ;  I  must  take  an  early  start  in  the  morn 
ing.  You  had  better  let  me  lend  you  a  little 
money." 

"  No,  thank  you,  sir.  Your  generous  gift 
will  help  me  till  I  get  a  place." 

So  the  farewells  were  said,  and  the  boys 
walked  home. 

"  Now,"  said  Edward,  "  I  must  try  to  get  a 
place.  This  money  will  last  me  two  weeks,  and 
in  that  time  I  ought  to  secure  something." 

He  went  from  place  to  place,  answering  ad 
vertisements  the  next  day,  but  met  with  no 
luck.  He  was  feeling  rather  depressed  when 
Chester  came  into  his  room. 

"  I  have  found  a  place  for  you,"  he  said, 
brightly. 

"  You  don't  mean  it!  Where  is  it?  "  asked 
young  Granger. 

"  At  the  office  of  The  Phoenix.  You  will  be 
in  the  mailing  department.  The  salary  is 
small — only  seven  dollars  a  week — but " 

"  I  shall  feel  rich.  It  is  two  dollars  more 
than  I  received  at  my  last  place.  When  am  I 
to  go  to  work?  " 

"  To-morrow.  The  mailing  clerk  has  got  a 
better  place,  and  that  makes  an  opening  for 
you." 

"  And  I  owe  this  good  fortune  to  you,"  said 
Edward,  gratefully.  "  How  can  I  repay 
you?" 


Chester  Rand, 

"  By  being  my  friend !  " 
"That  I  shall  be— for  life!"  replied  Ed 
ward,  fervently. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

AFTER  A  YEAR. 

A  YEAR  passed.  Chester  remained  in  the 
service  of  The  Phoenix,  which  had  become  an 
established  success.  His  artistic  work  was  so 
satisfactory  that  his  salary  had  been  raised 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  dollars  per  week. 
Yet  he  had  not  increased  his  personal  ex 
penses,  and  now  had  nearly  a  thousand  dol 
lars  deposited  in  different  savings  banks. 

He  had  concealed  the  extent  of  his  prosper 
ity  from  his  mother,  meaning  in  time  to  sur 
prise  her  agreeably. 

About  this  period  he  received  a  letter  from 
Wyncombe.  It  was  from  his  mother.  It  ran 
thus: 


'•  DEAR  CHESTER  :  I  am  sorry  to  write  you  bad  news. 
Miss  Jane  Dolby  has  decided  to  visit  a  sister  in  Chicago  and  re- 
remain  a  year.  Of  course  this  cuts  off  the  liberal  income  I  have 
received  from  her,  and  which  has  been  adequate  to  meet  my 
expenses.  I  may  be  able  to  earn  something  by  sewing,  but  it 
will  be  only  a  little.  I  shall,  therefore,  have  to  a.ccept  the  offei 
you  made  me  sometime  since  to  send  me  a  weekly  sum.  I  am 
sorry  to  be  a  burden  to  you,  but  it  will  only  be  for  a  year.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  Miss  Dolby  promises  to  come  back  and 
resume  boarding  with  me. 

"  I  think  we  have  reason  to  feel  grateful  for  your  continued 
success  in  New  York,  Silas  Tripp  called  a  few  evenings  since. 


Chester  Rand. 

He  has  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble  with  boys.  He  says  he  has 
not  had  anyone  to  suit  him  since  you  left.  He  asked  me  if  I 
thought  you  would  come  back  for  four  dollars  a  week.  This  he 
seemed  to  consider  a  very  liberal  offer,  and  it  was— for  him.  I 
didn't  give  him  any  encouragement,  as  I  presume  you  prefer 
art  to  the  grocery  business. 

"You  need\not  begin  to  send  me  money,  at  once,  as  I  have 
been  able  to  save  a  little  from  Miss  Dolby's  board. 
"  Your  affectionate  mother, 

"  SARAH  itAND.* 

Chester  answered  at  once : 

"DEAR  MOTHER:  Don't  feel  any  anxiety  about  your  foss  of 
income  through  Miss  Dolby's  departure,  and  don't  try  to  earn 
any  money  by  sewing.  My  income  is  larger  than  you  suppose, 
and  I  will  send  you  weekly  as  much  as  you  have  been  accustomed 
to  receive  from  your  boarder.  Should  it  be  more  than  you  need, 
you  can  lay  aside  any  surplus  for  future  use. 

"  Tell  Mr.  Tripp  I  prefer  New  York  to  Wyncombe  as  a  place 
of  business,  and  I  am  obliged  to  decline  his  generous  offer.  I 
cannot  help  thinking  sometimes  how  fortunate  it  was  that  he 
declined  over  a  year  since  to  increase  my  pay,  as  in  that  case  I 
might  still  have  been  working  for  him  instead  of  establishing  a 
reputation  as  an  artist  here.  Last  week  I  received  a  larger 
offer  from  another  publication,  but  as  the  publishers  of  The 
Phoenix  have  always  treated  me  well,  I  didn't  think  that  I 
would  be  justified  in  making  a  change.  I  mean  in  a  week  or 
two  to  come  home  to  pass  Sunday.  I  shall  feel  delighted  to  see 
my  friends  in  Wyncombe,  and  most  of  all,  my  mother. 

"  Your  loving  son,  CHESTER." 

Mrs.  Rand  protested  against  Chester  send 
ing  her  eight  dollars  a  week,  but  ^e  insisted 
upon  it,  advising  her  to  lay  aside  what  she  did 
not  need. 

One  evening  about  this  time  Edward  Gran 
ger,  who  still  occupied  the  small  apartment 
adjoining,  came  into  Chester's  room,  looking 
agitated. 

"What  is  the  matter?"  asked  Chester. 
"  Have  you  had  bad  news?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  have  had  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wilson, 


236  Chester  Rand. 

3f  Portland,  whom  you  recollect  we  met 
a  year  ago." 

"  I  remember  him." 

"  I  will  read  you  his  letter.     You  will  sec. 
that  I  have  reason  to  feel  anxious." 

The  letter  ran  as  follows: 

"  DEAR  EDWARD  :  I  promised  to  send  you  w,.  -  news  I  might 
pick  up  about  your  mother  and  her  premising  husband.  Trimble 
is  indulging  in  liquor  more  than  ever,  and  I  don't  see  how  he 
can  stand  it  unless  he  has  a  ca»tiron  constitution.  From  what 
I  hear  he  has  never  given  up'trying  to  get  your  mother's  property 
into  his  hands.  She  has  held  out  pretfy  firm,  but  she  may  yield 


,/et.  I  hear  that  he  is  circulating  reports  that  you  are  dead. 
In  that  case  he  thinks  she  may  be  induced  to  make  a  will  leav 
ing  her  property  to  Mr.  Trimble  ;  having,  as  I  believe,  ho  near 
relatives,  so  that  he  would  seem  to  be  the  natural  heir. 

"  I  may  be  doing  Trimble  an  injustice,  but  I  think  if  such  a 
will  were  made  she  wouldn't  live  long.  Your  stepfather  is  in 
great  straits  for  money,  it  seems,  and  he  might  be  tempted  to 
do  something  desperate.  As  far  as  I  can  hear,  Abner  Trimble's 
plan  is  this  :  He  took  a  pal  of  his  around  to  the  house  who  had 
been  in  New  York  recently,  and  the  latter  gave  a  circumstantial 
account  of  your  dying  with  typhoid  fever.  Evidently  your 
mother  believed  it,  for  she  seemed  quite  broken  down  and  has 
aged  considerably  since  the  news.  No  doubt  her  husband  will 
seize  this  opportunity  to  induce  her  to  make  a  will  in  his  favor. 
Here  lies  the  danger  ;  and  I  think  I  ought  to  warn  you  of  it,  for 
your  presence  here  is  needed  to  defeat  your  stepfather's  wicked 
plans.  Come  out  at  once,  if  you  can. 

"  Your  friend, 

NATHANIEL  WILSON." 

"What  do  you  think  of  that,  Chester? " 
asked  Edward,  in  a  troubled  voice. 

"  I  think  it  very  important.  Your  mother's 
life  and  your  interests  both  are  in  peril." 

"  And  the  worst  of  it  is  that  I  am  helpless," 
said  Edward,  sadly.  "  I  ought  to  go  out  there, 
but  you  know  how  small  my  salary  is.  It  has 
required  the  utmost  economy  to  live,  and  I 


Chester  Rand.  237 

haven't  as  much  as  five  dollars  saved  up.  How 
can  I  make  such  a  long  and  costly  journey?  " 

"  I  see  the  difficulty,  Edward,  but  I  need 
time  to  think  it  over.  To-morrow  afternoon 
come  in  and  I  may  have  some  advice  to  give 
you." 

"  I  know  that  you  will  advise  me  for  the 
best,  Chester." 

"  There  is  a  good  deal  in  age  and  experl 
ence,"  said  Chester,  smiling. 

When  Edward  left  the  room  Chester  took 
from  his  pocket  a  letter  received  the  day  pre 
vious,  and  postmarked  Tacoma.  It  was  to 
this  effect: 


"ME.  CHESTER  RAND. 

"  DEAR  SIR:  We  learn  that  you  own  five  lots  on  Main  Street, 
numbered  from  201  to  205.  We  have  inquiries  as  to  three  cl 
those  lots  as  a  location  for  a  new  hotel,  which  it  is  proposed  to 
erect  at  an  early  date.  We  are,  therefore,  led  to  ask  whether 
you  are  disposed  to  sell,  and,  if  so,  on  what  terms.  We  should 
be  glad  to  have  a  personal  interview  with  you,  but  if  it  is  im 
practicable  or  inconvenient  for  you  to  come  on  to  Tacoma  wo 
will  undertake,  as  your  agents,  to  carry  on  the  negotiations. 
"  Yours  respectfully, 

"DEAN  &  DOWNIE, 

"  Real  Estate  Agents." 


"  Why  shouldn't  I  go  to  Tacoma?  "  thought 
Chester.  "  I  can  probably  sell  the  lots  to 
better  advantage  than  any  agents,  and  should 
be  entirely  unable  to  fix  upon  a  suitable  price 
unless  I  am  on  the  ground.  In  case  I  go 
on,  I  can  take  Edward  with  me,  and  trust  to 
him  to  repay  the  money  advanced  at  some  fu 
ture  time." 


23$  Chester  Rand. 

The  more  Chester  thought  of  this  plan  the 
more  favorable  it  struck  him. 

He  went  the  next  day  to  the  office  of  The 
Phoenix,  and  after  delivering  his  sketches, 
said :  "  I  should  like  leave  of  absence  for  two 
months.  Can  you  spare  me?  " 

"  Does  your  health  require  it,  Mr.  Rand?" 
asked  the  editor. 

"  No,"  answered  Chester,  "  but  I  own  a 
little  property  in  Tacoma,  and  there  are 
parties  out  there  who  wish  to  buy.  It  is  im 
portant  that  I  should  go  out  there  to  attend  to 
the  matter." 

The  editor  arched  his  brows  in  astonish 
ment. 

"  What !  "  he  said.  "  An  artist,  and  own 
real  estate?  This  is  truly  surprising." 

"  I  didn't  earn  it  by  my  art,"  replied  Ches 
ter,  smiling.  "  It  was  a  bequest." 

"  That  accounts  for  it.  I  suppose,  under 
the  circumstances,  we  must  let  you  go;  but 
why  need  you  give  up  your  work?  Probably 
ideas  and  suggestions  may  come  to  you  while 
you  are  traveling.  These  you  can  send  to  us 
by  mail." 

"  But  I  can't  do  enough  to  earn  the  salary 
you  pay  me." 

"  Then  we  will  pay  according  to  the  amount 
you  do." 

"  That  vill  be  satisfactory." 

"  Do  you  need  an  advance  for  the  expenses 
of  your  journey?  " 


Chester  Rand.  239 

"  No ;  I  have  some  money  laid  by." 

"  Another  surprise !  When  do  you  want  to 
start?" 

"  As  soon  as  possible.  I  will  not  come  to 
the  office  again." 

"  Then  good  luck  and  a  pleasant  journey." 

When  Edward  Granger  came  into  his  room 
later  in  the  day,  Chester  said :  "  Day  after 
to-morrow  we  start  for  Oregon.  Ask  your  em 
ployers  to  hold  your  place  for  you,  and  get 
ready  at  once." 

"  But  the  money,  Chester? "  gasped  Ed 
ward. 

"  I  will  advance  it  to  you,  and  you  shall  re 
pay  me  when  you  can." 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

PREPARING  FOR  THE  JOURNEY. 

No  sooner  had  Chester  decided  upon  his 
Western  journey  than  he  telegraphed  to  Dean 
&  Downe,  of  Tacoma : 

"  I  will  call  upon  you  within  two  v^eeks." 

Mrs.  Kand  was  much  surprised  when  Ches 
ter,  coming  home  unexpectedly,  announced 
his  intentions.  • 

"  Do  you  want  me  to  take  you  with  me, 
mother?  "  asked  Chester,  with  a  smile. 


240  Chester  Rand. 

"  I  am  afraid  I  could  not  help  you  much. 
But  you  are  not  used  to  traveling.  You  may 
take  the  wrong  cars." 

Again  Chester  smiled. 

"  I  have  spent  over  a  year  in  the  city,  mo 
ther,"  he  said.  "  I  have  got  along  pretty  well 
in  the  last  twelve  months,  haven't  I  ?  " 

"Yes;  but  suppose  you  were  to  fall  sick, 
with  no  one  to  look  after  you?  " 

"  I  didn't  tell  you  that  I  am  going  to  have 
company.  Edward  Granger,  who  was  born  in 
Oregon,  and  is  three  years,  older  than  myself, 
will  go  with  me." 

"  Then  I  shall  feel  easier.  He  knows  the 
way,  and  can  look  after  you." 

Chester  was  secretly  of  opinion  that  he  was 
more  competent  to  look  after  Edward,  but  did 
not  say  so.  He  saw  that  his  mother  was  easier 
in  mind,  and  this  relieved  him. 

Before  he  started  from  New  York  he  called 
to  see  Mr.  Fairchild.  On  Fourteenth  Street 
he  fell  in  with  Felix  Gordon. 

"How  are  you  getting  along,  Felix?"  he 
asked. 

"  Pretty  well.  Mr.  Fairchild  has  raised  me 
to  six  dollars  a  week." 

"  I  am  glad  of  it.  That  shows  he  is  satis 
fied  with  you." 

"  I  try  to  please  him.  I  began  to  think 
that  is  the  best  policy.  That  is  why  you  have 
succeeded  so  well." 

"  Do  you  ever  hear  from  Mr.  Mulling?  " 


Chester  Rand.  241 

"  No ;  but  I  know  where  he  is." 

"  Where?  Of  course  you  know  that  I  have 
no  wish  to  injure  him." 

"  He  is  somewhere  in  Oregon,  or  perhaps  in 
Washington  Territory." 

Washington  had  not  at  that  time  been  ad 
vanced  to  the  dignity  of  a  State. 

"  That  is  curious." 

"  Why  is  it  curious?  " 

"  Because  I  am  going  to  start  for  Oregon 
and  Washington  to-nigh t." 

"  You  don't  mean  it !  What  are  you  going 
for?  " 

"  On  business,"  answered  Chester,  not 
caring  to  make  u  confidant  of  Felix." 

"  Won't  it  cost  a  good  deal  of  money?  " 

"  Yes;  but  I  expect  to  get  paid  for  going." 

"  What  a  lucky  fellow  you  are !  "  said  Felix, 
not  without  a  trace  of  envy.  "  I  wish  I  could 
go.  I  like  to  travel,  but  I  have  never  had  a 
chance." 

Mr.  Fairchild  was  equally  surprised  when 
told  of  Chester's  plans. 

"  Are  you  going  as  an  artist?  "  he  asked. 

"  No ;  as  a  real  estate  man,"  answered  Ches 
ter.  "  I  own  a  few  lots  in  Tacoma,  and  have 
a  chance  of  selling  a  part  of  them." 

Then  he  went  into  particulars. 

"  I  congratulate  you.  I  have  only  one  piece 
of  advice  to  offer.  Make  careful  inquiries  as 
to  the  value  of  property.  Then  ask  a  fair 
price,  not  one  that  is  exorbitant.  That  might 


242  Chester  Rand. 

drive  the  hotel  people  to  seeking  another  site 
for  their  house." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Fairchild ;  I  will  remem 
ber  your  advice." 

"  The  journey  is  an  expensive  one.  If  you 
need  two  or  three  hundred  dollars  I  will  loan 
it  to  you  cheerfully." 

"  Thank  you  very  much,  but  I  have  more 
money  saved  up  than  I  shall  require." 

"  I  see  you  are  careful  and  provident.  Well, 
Chester,  I  wish  you  every  success." 

' 1  am  sure  of  that,  Mr.  Fairchild.  By  the 
way,  I  hear  that  your  old  bookkeeper  is  in 
Oregon  or  Washington." 

"Who  told  you?" 

"  Felix.  Have  you  any  message  for  him  if 
I  happen  to  meet  him?" 

"  Say  that  I  have  no  intention  of  prose 
cuting  him.  If  he  is  ever  able  I  shall  be  glad  to 
have  him  return  the  money  he  took  from  me. 
As  to  punishment,  I  am  sure  he  has  been  pun 
ished  enough  by  his  enforced  flight  and  sense 
of  wrongdoing." 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

A  GREAT  SURPRISE. 

FROM    New    York    to    Tacoma    is    a    long 
journey.     Over  three  thousand  miles  must  be 


Chester  Rand,  243 

traversed  by  rail,  but  the  trip  is  far  from  tire 
some.  Chester  and  his  companion  thoroughly 
enjoyed  it.  All  was  new  and  strange,  and  the 
broad  spaces  through  which  they  passed  were 
full  of  interest. 

They  stopped  at  Niagara  Falls,  but  only  for 
a  few  ho^?g?  and  spent  a  day  in  Chicago. 
Then  they  were  whirled  onward  to  St.  Paul 
and  Minneapolis,  and  later  on  over  the  broad 
plains  of  North  Dakota  and  through  the  moun 
tains  of  Montana. 

"  I  never  thought  the  country  was  so  large 
before,"  said  Chester  to  Edward.  "  You  have 
been  over  the  ground  once  before." 

"  Yes;  but  part  of  it  was  during  the  night, 
It  is  pleasant  to  see  it  once  more.  Many  ot 
the  places  have  grown  considerably,  though  it 
is  only  two  years  since  I  came  from  Portland ." 

Chester  made  some  agreeable  acquaintances. 
An  unsociable  traveler  misses  many  of  the 
profitable  results  of  his  journey,  besides  find 
ing  time  hang  heavily  on  his  hands. 

Just  after  leaving  Bismarck,  in  North 
Dakota,  Chester's  attention  was  called  to  an 
old  man,  whose  white  hair  and  wrinkled  face 
indicated  that  he  had  passed  the  age  of  seventy 
years. 

The  conductor  came  through  the  car,  col 
lecting  tickets.  The  old  man  searched  for  his, 
and  an  expression  of  dismay  overspread  his 
face. 

"  I  can't  find  mv  ticket,"  he  said. 


244  Chester  Rand. 

"  That  is  unfortunate.  Where  did  you 
come  from?  " 

"From  Buffalo." 

"  When  did  you  last  see  your  ticket?  " 

"  I  stopped  over  one  night  in  Bismarck,  and 
had  to  share  my  room  with  a  young  man,  for 
the  hotel  was  crowded.  I  think  he  must  have 
picked  my  pocket  of  the  ticket."  „ 

"  Did  you  know  the  ticket  was  missing  when 
you  boarded  the  train? ' 

"  No,  sir.    I  did  not  think  to  look." 

"  Your  case  is  unfortunate.  How  far  are 
you  going?  " 

"  To  Tacoma.     I  have  a  son  there/' 

"  I  am  afraid  you  will  have  to  pay  the  fare 
from  here.  I  have  no  discretion  in  the  matter^ 
and  cannot  allow  you  to  ride  without  a  ticket." 

"Don't  you  believe  my  ticket  was  stolen?" 
asked  the  old  man,  in  a  state  of  nervous  agita 
tion. 

"  Yes,  I  believe  it.  I  don't  think  a  man  of 
your  age  would  deceive  me.  But  I  cannot  let 
you  travel  without  paying  for  another." 

"  I  haven't  money  enough,"  said  the  old 
man,  piteously.  "  If  you  will  wait  till  I  reach 
Tacoma  my  son  will  give  me  money  to  pay 
you." 

"  I  am  not  allowed  to  do  that.  I  think  you 
will  have  to  get  out  at  the  next  station." 

The  old  man  was  much  agitated. 

"  It  is  very  hard,"  he  sighed.  "  I — I  don't 
know  what  to  do." 


Chester  Rand.  245 

Chester  had  listened  to  this  conversation 
with  great  sympathy  for  the  unfortunate 
traveler,  on  account  of  his  age  and  apparent 
helplessness. 

"  How  much  is  the  fare  to  Tacoma  from  this 
point?"  he  asked. 

"  In  the  neighborhood  of  fifty  dollars,"  an 
swered  the  conductor. 

"  Will  your  son  be  able  to  pay  this?  "  asked 
Chester. 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  the  old  man.  "  Wil- 
]iam  has  been  doin7  well.  He  is  going  to  build 
a  large  hotel  in  Tacoma — he  and  another 
man." 

"  Then,"  said  Chester,  "  I  will  advance  you 
what  money  you  need.  You  can  give  me  a 
memorandum,  so  that  I  can  collect  it  from 
your  son." 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  young  man !  "  said  the 
old  man,  fervently.  "  You  are  indeed  a  friend 
to  me  who  am  but  a  stranger.  I  am  sure  you 
will  prosper." 

"  Thank  you." 

"  What  a  fellow  you  are,  Chester ! "  said 
Edward.  "  You  will  make  yourself  poor  help 
ing  others." 

"  I  shall  sleep  better  for  having  aided  the 
old  man,"  answered  Chester. 

The  rest  of  the  journey  was  uneventful.  The 
two  boys  went  at  once  to  Tacoma,  as  Chester 
felt  that  the  gentlemen  who  were  negotiating 
for  his  lots  were  probably  in  a  hurry  to  ar- 


246  Chester  Rand, 

range  for  the  ^ailding  V>L  the  hotel,  After 
establishing  themselves  at  a  hotel  and  eating 
dinner,  they  went  at  once  to  the  office  of  Dean 
&  Downie,  the  real  estate  agents  from  whom 
Chester  had  received  a  letter. 

Here  a  surprise  awaited  him. 

Standing  at  a  desk  in  the  rear  of  the  office 
was  a  figure  that  looked  familiar.  The  man 
turned  as  the  door  opened  to  admit  Chester, 
and  the  latter  recognized  to  his  great  astonish 
ment  his  old  enemy — David  Mulling ! 



CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

DAVID  MULLINS  AGAIN. 

WHEN  David  Mullins  saw  Chester  enter 
the  office  he  turned  pale,  and  looked  panic- 
stricken. 

"  You  here ! "  he  exclaimed,  in  a  hollow 
voice. 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Mullins.  I  am  surprised  to  meet 
you." 

"  Then  you  didn't  know  I  was  here?  " 

"  I  heard  from  Felix  that  you  were  in  this 
part  of  the  country." 

"  I  am  trying  to  earn  an  honest  living,"  said 
Mullins,  in  agitation.  "  My  employers  know 
nothing  to  my  prejudice.  Do  you  come  as  a 
friend  or  an  enemy?" 

"  Mr.  Mullins,  I  haven't  the  least  intention 


Chester  Rand.  247 

of  harming  you.  I  will  not  even  appear  to 
know  you.  I  came  here  to  see  Dean  &  Downie, 
with  whom  I  have  business." 

"  Heaven  be  praised !  I  will  not  soon  for 
get  your  kindness.  Here  comes  Mr.  Dean. 
Remember  vour  promise." 

At  this  moment  Mr.  Dean  entered  the  office. 
David  Mullins  had  returned  to  his  ^esk. 

"  This  young  man  wishes  to  see  you,  Mr. 
Dean/'  he  said,  formally,  when  his  employer 
entered. 

Mr.  Dean  looked  at  Chester,  inquiringly. 

"  I  am  Chester  Rand,  with  whom  you  have 
had  some  correspondence,"  said  Chester,  tend 
ering  his  card.  "  I  have  just  arrived  from 
New  York." 

The  broker  regarded  him  in  surprise. 

"You  Chester  Rand?"  he  exclaimed. 
"  Why,  you  are  a  boy." 

"  I  must  plead  guilty  to  that  indictment," 
said  Chester,  smiling,  "  but  I  am  the  owner  of 
the  lots  which  I  understand  are  wanted  for  the 
new  hotel." 

David  Mullins,  who  heard  this  conversation, 
looked  up  in  amazement.  He  had  not  known 
of  the  correspondence  with  Chester,  as  Mr. 
Dean  had  written  his  letter  personally,  and  it 
had  not  gone  through  the  office. 

"  Can  you  furnish  any  evidence  of  this? " 
asked  Mr.  Dean. 

"  Here  is  the  letter  you  sent  me,  and  here 
is  a  copy  of  my  reply." 


248  Chester  Rand 

The  broker  took  the  letter  from  Chester's 
hand  and  all  doubt  vanished  from  his  counte 
nance. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you  here  so  soon,  Mr. 
Hand,"  he  said,  "  as  the  parties  with  whom  I 
am  negotiating  are  anxious  to  conclude  mat 
ters  as  soon  as  possible.  Will  you  go  over 
with  me  to  Mr.  Taylor's  office?  Taylor  and 
Pearson  are  the  parties'  names." 

"  I  will  go  with  pleasure." 

As  they  walked  through  the  chief  business 
street  Chester  noticed  with  interest  evidences 
of  activity  everywhere.  Tacoma  he  found  was 
situated,  like  San  Francisco,  on  a  side  hill, 
sloping  down  toward  Puget  Sound. 

"  What  a  fine  location  for  a  town,"  he  said. 

"  Yes,"  answered  Mr.  Dean,  "  this  is  des 
tined  to  be  a  large  city.  Our  people  are  enter 
prising  and  progressive.  Seattle  is  at  present 
ahead  of  us,  but  we  mean  to  catch  up,  and 
that  ere  many  years." 

"  At  what  price  are  lots  selling  on  this 
street?  " 

"  I  see  you  have  business  ideas,"  said  the 
broker,  smiling.  "  I  suppose  you  want  to  know 
what  price  you  can  charge  for  your  lots." 

"  You  are  right." 

"  Of  course  it  wrill  not  be  right  for  me  to 
advise  you,  being  employed  by  the  other  party, 
but  I  will  give  you  some  idea.  The  lot  adjoin 
ing  your  plot  sold  last  week  for  two  thousand 
dollars." 


Chester  Rand.  249 

"Two  thousand?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Probably  it  would  be  well  for  me  to  wait 
a  year  or  two,  as  the  lots  would  undoubtedly 
command  more  then." 

"  That  is  one  way  of  looking  at  it.  Let  me 
point  out  another.  You  have  five  lots,  have 
you  not?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"If  you  sell  three  to  the  hotel  company  yon 
can  hold  the  other  two  five  years  if  you  like. 
The  proximity  of  the  hotel  will  help  to  enhance 
their  value." 

"  I  see  that." 

"  That  is  a  point  to  be  considered.  If  you 
ask  a  prohibitory  price,  the  hotel  will  go  else 
where,  and  you  may  have  to  wait  a  good  while 
before  you  have  a  chance  to  sell.  But  here  is 
Mr.  Taylor's  office." 

The  broker  entered,  followed  by  Chester. 
Here  a  surprise  awaited  him. 

Sitting  in  an  armchair  was  his  venerable 
friend  of  the  train,  appearing  very  much  at 
home.  His  face  lighted  up  when  Chester  came 
in. 

"  William,"  he  said  to  a  stout  man  of  middle 
age,  "  this  is  the  young  man  who  generously 
advanced  money  to  meet  my  car  fare  wrhen  I 
was  in  danger  of  being  put  off  the  train." 

The  younger  man  advanced  and  cordially 
offered  his  hand. 

"  My  boy,"  he  said,  "  I  shall  not  soon  forget 


-250  Chester  Rand. 

your  kindness  to  my  father.  I  will  gladly 
repay  you  for  the  money  you  disbursed  on  his 
account." 

"  I  was  very  glad  to  stand  his  friend,  sir/'' 
returned  Chester,  modestly. 

"  Let  me  know  to  whom  I  am  indebted." 

"  Mr.  Taylor,"  said  the  broker,  "  this  young 
gentleman  is  Chester  Rand,  owner  of  the  lots 
which  you  wish  to  buy." 

"Is  it  possible?"  ejaculated  William  Tay 
lor.  "  I  didn't  know  that  the  owner  of  the 
lots  was  a  boy." 

"  The  lots  were  a  bequest  to  me  from  the 
original  owner,"  said  Chester. 

"  And  you  have  never  been  out  this  wav  be 
fore?  " 

"  This  is  my  first  visit  to  Tacoma." 

"  You  are  hardly  old  enough  to  be  in  busi 
ness." 

"  I  am  an  artist;  that  is,  I  furnish  illustra 
tions  to  a  comic  weekly  paper  in  New  York." 

"  You  have  begun  life  early.  I  suspect  you 
are  better  fitted  for  business  than  most  young 
men  of  your  age.  Here  is  my  partner,  Mr, 
Pearson." 

In  the  negotiation  that  followed  the  reader 
will  not  be  interested.  At  length  a  mutually 
satisfactory  arrangement  was  made.  Chester 
agreed  to  sell  the  three  lots  wanted  for  the 
hotel  for  eight  thousand  dollars,  half  cash  and 
the  balance  on  a  year's  time  at  twJve  per  cent, 
interest. 


Chester  Rand.  251 

When  the  business  was  concluded  and  pap 
ers  signed,  Mr.  Dean  said :  "  Mr.  Hand,  I  think 
you  have  made  a  good  bargain.  You  might 
have  extorted  more,  but  you  have  received  a 
fair  price  and  retained  the  good  will  of  the 
purchaser.  What  do  you  propose  to  do  with 
the  four  thousand  dollars  you  will  receive  in 
cash?" 

"  I  have  not  had  time  to  think." 

"  I  will  venture  to  give  you  some  advice.  My 
partner,  John  Dowme,  has  made  a  specialty 
of  city  property,  and  he  will  invest  any  part 
for  you  in  lower-priced  city  lots,  which  are 
sure  to  advance  rapidly." 

"  Then  I  will  put  the  matter  in  his  hands 
and  rely  on  his  judgment.  I  will  carry  back 
with  me  a  thousand  dollars,  and  leave  with 
him  three  thousand  dollars  for  investment." 

"  Then  come  back  to  the  office  and  I  will 
introduce  you  to  Mr.  Downie,  with  whom  you 
can  leave  instructions." 

Chester  was  presented  to  Mr.  Downie,  a 
blond  young  man,  who  looked  honest  and  reli 
able,  and  they  soon  came  to  an  understanding. 
They  walked  about  the  town — it  was  not  a 
city  then — and  Chester  picked  out  several  lots 
which  he  was  in  favor  of  buying, 

He  remained  a  week  in  Tacoma,  and  before 
the  end  of  that  time  all  arrangements  were 
perfected,  and  he  found  himself  the  owner  of 
seven  lots,  more  or  less  eligible,  in  addition  to 
the  two  he  had  reserved  in  the  original  Dlot. 


252  Chester  Rand. 

On  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  as  he  was 
taking  a  walk  alone,  he  encountered  David 
Mullins. 

"  Good-evening  Mr.  Mullins,"  he  said, 
politely. 

"  Good-evening,  Chester,"  returned  the 
bookkeeper,  flushing  slightly.  "  1  want  to 
thank  you  for  not  exposing  my  past  misdeeds." 

"  I  hope,  Mr.  Mullins,  you  did  not  think  me 
mean  enough  to  do  so/' 

"  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  according  to  my  sad 
experience  eight  out  of  ten  would  have  done 
so,  especially  if  they  had  reason,  like  you,  to 
complain  of  personal  ill  treatment." 

"  I  don't  believe  in  persecuting  a  man." 

"  I  wish  all  were  of  your  way  of  thinking. 
Shall  I  tell  you  my  experience." 

"  If  you  will." 

"  When  I  left  New  York  I  went  to  Chicago 
and  obtained  the  position  of  collector  for  a 
mercantile  establishment.  I  was  paid  a  com 
mission,  and  got  on  very  well  till  one  unlucky 
day  I  fell  in  with  an  acquaintance  from  Ne\\ 
York. 

"  <  Where  are  you  working? '  he  asked. 

"  I  told  him. 

"  The  next  day  my  employer  summoned  me 
to  his  presence. 

" '  I  shall  not  require  your  services  any 
longer/  he  said. 

"  I  asked  no  questions.  I  understood  thai 
my  treacherous  friend  had  given  me  awaj, 


Chester  Rand.  253 

"  I  had  a  few  dollars  saved,  and  went  to 
Minneapolis.  There  I  was  undisturbed  for 
six  months.  Then  the  same  man  appeared 
and  again  deprived  me  of  my  situation." 

"  How  contemptible !  "  ejaculated  Chester, 
with  a  ring  of  scorn  in  his  voice. 

"  Then  I  came  to  Tacoma,  and  here  I  have 
been  thus  far  undisturbed.  When  I  saw  you 
I  had  a  scare.  I  thought  my  time  had  come, 
and  I  must  again  move  on." 

"  So  far  from  wishing  to  harm  you,  Mr. 
Mullins,"  said  Chester,  "  if,  through  the  mean 
ness  of  others  you  get  into  trouble  you  can  any 
time  send  to  me  for  a  loan  of  fifty  dollars." 

"  Thank  you,"  ejaculated  Mullins,  grate 
fully,  wringing  Chester's  hand.  "  You  are 
heaping  coals  of  fire  on  my  head." 

"  You  will  always  have  my  best  wishes  for 
your  prosperity.  If  ever  you  are  able,  repay 
the  money  you  took  from  Mr.  Fairchild,  and  I 
will  venture  to  promise  that  he  will  forgive 
you." 

«  With  God's  help  I  will !  " 


CHAPTEE  XXXVIII. 

ABNER  TRIMBLE^S  PLOT. 

JUST  off  First  Street,  in  Portland,  Ore.,  is 
a  saloon,  over  which  appears  the  name  of  the> 
proprietor : 


254  Chester  Rand. 

"  Abner  Trimble." 

Two  rough-looking  fellows,  smoking  pipes, 
entered  the  saloon.  Behind  the  bar  stood  a 
stout,  red-faced  man.  This  was  Trimble,  and 
his  appearance  indicated  that  he  patronized 
the  liquors  he  dispensed  to  others. 

"  Glad  to  see  you,  Floyd,"  said  Trimble. 

"  That  means  a  glass  of  whisky,  doesn't 
it?  "  returned  Floyd. 

"  Well,  not  now.  I  want  you  to  go  up  to 
the  house  again,  to  see  my  wife." 

"  About  the  old  matter?  » 

"Yes;  she  isn't  quite  satisfied  about  the 
kid's  death,  and  she  won't  make  a  will  in  my 
favor  till  she  is.  She  wants  to  ask  you  a  few 
questions." 

Floyd  made  a  wry  face. 

"  She's  as  bad  as  a  lawyer.  I  say,  Abner, 
I'm  afraid  I'll  get  tripped  up." 

"  You  must  stick  to  the  old  story." 

"What  was  it?" 

"  Don't  you  remember  you  said  that  the 
kid  hired  a  boat  to  row  in  the  harbor  along 
with  two  other  boys,  and  the  boat  was  unset 
and  all  three  were  drowned?  " 

"  Yes,  I  remember.  It's  a  smart  yarn,  isn't 
it?  "  grinned  Floyd. 

"  Yes,  but  you  mustn't  let  her  doubt  it  You 
remember  how  you  came  to  know  about  the 
drowning?  " 

"  No,  I  forget." 

Abner  Trimble  frowned, 


Chester  Rand.  255 

"  Look  here,  Floyd.  You'd  better  remem 
ber,  or  you  won't  get  the  money  I  promised 
you.  You  were  out  in  a  boat  yourself,  and 
saw  the  whole  thing.  You  jumped  into  the 
water,  and  tried  to  save  the  kid,  but  it  was 
no  use.  He  went  to  the  bottom — and  that  was 
the  en^  of  him  !  " 

"  A  very  pretty  story,"  said  Floyd,  compla 
cently.  "  Won't  I  get  somethin'  for  tryin'  to 
save  the  kid's  life?" 

"  As  like  as  not.  I'll  suggest  it  to  the  old 
lady  myself." 

"  When  do  you  want  me  to  go  up  to  the 
house? " 

"  Now.  The  lawyer's  coming  at  four 
o'clock,  and  I  want  you  to  confirm  Mrs.  T.  in 
her  belief  in  the  boy's  death." 

"  It's  dry  talkin',  Abner,"  said  Floyd,  signifi 
cantly. 

"  Take  a  glass  of  sarsaparilla,  then." 

"  Sarsaparilla !  "  repeated  Floyd,  contempt 
uously.  "  That's  only  fit  for  children." 

"  Lemon  soda,  then." 

"What's-  ^he  matter  with  whisky?" 

"Are  you  a  fool?  Do  you  thing  Mrs.  T. 
will  believe  your  story  if  you  come  to  her  smell 
ing  of  whiskey?  " 

"  You're  hard  on  me,  Abner.  Just  one  little 
glass." 

"  You  can  put  that  off  till  afterward.  Here, 
take  some  lemon  soda,  or  I'll  mix  you  a  glass 
of  lemonade." 


256  Chester  Rand. 

"  Well,  if  I  must,"  said  Floyd,  in  a  tone  of 
resignation. 

"  You  can  have  as  much  whisky  as  you  like 
afterward." 

"  Then  the  sooner  we  get  over  the  job  the 
better.  I'm  ready  now." 

"  Here,  Tim,  take  my  place,"  said  Abner 
Trimble,  calling  his  barkeeper;  "  I'm  going  to 
the  house  for  an  hour.  Now  come  along." 

Abner  Trimble  lived  in  a  comfortable  dwell 
ing  in  the  nicer  portion  of  the  city.  It  be 
longed  to  his  wife  when  he  married  her,  and  he 
had  simply  taken  up  his  residence  in  her  house. 
He  would  have  liked  to  have  lived  nearer  the 
saloon,  and  had  suggested  this  to  his  wife, 
but  she  was  attached  to  her  home  and  was 
unwilling  to  move. 

Trimble  ushered  his  visitor  into  the  sitting 
room  and  went  up  to  see  his  wife.  She  was 
sitting  in  an  armchair  in  the  room  adjoining 
her  chamber,  looking  pale  and  sorrowful. 

"  Well,  Mary,"  said  Trimble,  "  I've  brought 
Floyd  along  to  answer  any  questions  relating 
to  poor  Edward's  death." 

"  Yes,  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  him,"  answered 
his  wife,  in  a  dull,  spiritless  tone. 

"Shall  I  bring  him  up?" 

"  If  you  like." 

Trimble  went  to  the  landing  and  called  out  5 
"  You  can  come  up,  Floyd." 

Floyd  entered  the  room,  holding  his  hat 
awkwardly  in  his  hands.  He  was  not  used  to 


Chester  Rand.  257 

society,  and  did  not  look  forward  with  much 
pleasure  to  the  interview  which  had  been 
forced  upon  him. 

"  I  hope  I  see  you  well,  ina'am,"  he  said,  bob 
bing  his  head. 

"  As  well  as  I  ever  expect  to  be,"  answered 
Mrs.  Trimble,  sadly.  "  Your  name  is " 

"  Floyd,  ma'am.     Darius  Floyd." 

"  And  you  knew  my  poor  son?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am,  I  knew  him  well.  Ed  and  I 
was  regular  cronies." 

Mrs.  Trimble  looked  at  the  man  before  her, 
and  was  mildly  surprised.  Certainly  Edward 
must  have  changed,  or  he  would  not  keep  such 
company.  But,  prejudiced  against  her  son  as 
she  had  been  by  her  husband's  misrepresenta 
tions,  she  feared  that  this  was  only  another 
proof  of  Edward's  moral  decadence. 

'  You  have  been  in  New  York  recently?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  was  there  quite  a  while." 

"  And  you  used  to  see  Edward?  " 

"  'Most  every  day,  ma'am." 

"  How  was  he  employed?  " 

This  was  not  a  question  to  which  Mr.  Floyd 
had  prepared  an  answer.  He  looked  to  Mr. 
Trimble  as  if  for  a  suggestion,  and  the  latter 
nodded  impatiently,  and  shaped  his  mouth  to 
mean  "  anything." 

"  He  was  tendin'  a  pool  room,  ma'am,"  said 
Floyd,  with  what  he  thought  a  lucky  inspira 
tion.  "  He  was  tendin'  a  pool  room  on  Sixth 
Avenue." 


Chester  Rand. 

"  He  must  indeed  have  changed  to  accept 
such  employment.  I  hope  he  didn't  drink?  " 

"  Not  often,  ma'am ;  just  a  glass  of  sarsa- 
parilia  or  lemon  soda.  Them  are  my  favor 
ites." 

Abner  Trimble  turned  aside  to  conceal  a 
smile.  He  remembered  Mr.  Floyd's  objecting 
to  the  innocent  beverages  mentioned,  and  his 
decided  preference  for  whisky. 

"  I  am  glad  that  he  was  not  intemperate. 
You  saw  the  accident?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am." 

"  Please  tell  me  once  more  what  you  can." 

"  I  took  a  boat  down  at  the  Battery  to  have 
a  row  one  afternoon,  when,  after  a  while,  I  saw 
another  boat  comin'  out  with  three  fellers  into 
it.  One  of  them  was  your  son,  Edward." 

"Did  you  know  Edward's  companions?" 

"  Never  saw  them  before  in  my  life.  They 
was  about  as  old  as  he.  Well,  by  and  by  one 
of  them  stood  up  in  the  boat.  I  surmise  he 
had  been  drinkin'."  Then,  a  minute  after 
ward,  I  saw  the  boat  upset,  and  the  three  was 
strugglin'  in  the  water. 

"  I  didn't  take  no  interest  in  the  others,  but 
I  wanted  to  save  Edward,  so  I  jumped  into  the 
water  and  made  for  him.  That  is,  I  thought 
I  did.  But  it  so  happened  in  the  confusion 


Chester  Rand.  259 

that  I  got  hold  of  the  wrong  boy,  and  when  I 
managed  to  get  him  on  board  my  boat,  I  saw 
my  mistake.  It  was  too  late  to  correct  it — ex 
cuse  my  emotion,  ma'am,"  and  Mr.  Floyd  drew 
a  red  silk  handkerchief  from  his  pocket  and 
wiped  his  eyes ;  "  but  when  I  looked  out  and 
couldn't  see  either  of  the  other  young  fellers, 
and  realized  that  they  were  drowned,  I  felt 
awful  bad." 

Mrs.  Trimble  put  her  handkerchief  to  her 
eyes  and  moaned.  The  picture  drawn  by  Mr, 
Floyd  was  too  much  for  her. 

"  I  wish  I  could  see  the  young  man  whose 
life  you  saved,"  she  said,  after  a  pause! 
"  Have  you  his  name  and  address?  " 

"  No,  ma'am ;  he  didn't  even  thank  me.  I 
didn't  get  even  the  price  of  a  glass  of — sarsa- 
parilla  out  of  him." 

Mr.  Floyd  came  near  saying  whisky,  but  be 
thought  himself  in  time. 

"  I  have  been  much  interested  by  your  sad 
story,  Mr.  Floyd,"  said  the  sorrow-stricken 
mother.  "  You  seem  to  have  a  good  and  sym 
pathetic  heart." 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  replied  Floyd ;  "  that  is  my 
weakness." 

"Don't  call  it  a  weakness!  It  does  you 
credit" 


260  Chester  Rand. 

Mr.  Floyd  exchanged  a  sly  glance  of  com 
placency  with  Abner  Trimble,  who  was  pleased 
that  his  agent  got  off  so  creditably.  He  had 
evidently  produced  a  good  impression  on  Mrs. 
Trimble. 

"  You  see,  my  dear,"  he  said,  gently,  "  that 
there  can  be  no  doubt  about  poor  Edward's 
death.  I  have  thought,  under  the  circum 
stances,  that  you  would  feel  like  making  a  will, 
and  seeing  that  I  was  suitably  provided  for. 
As  matters  stand  your  property  would  go  to 
distant  cousins,  and  second  cousins  at  that, 
while  I  would  be  left  out  in  the  cold. 

"  I  know,  of  course,  that  you  are  younger 
than  myself  and  likely  to  outlive  me,  but  still, 
life  is  uncertain.  I  don't  care  much  for 
money,  but  I  wouldn't  like  to  die  destitute, 
and  so  I  asked  Mr.  Coleman,  the  lawyer,  to 
come  round.  I  think  I  hear  his  ring  now, 
Will  you  see  him?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  wish  it.  I  care  very  littlw 
what  becomes  of  the  property  now  my  boy  is 
no  more." 

Mr.  Trimble  went  downstairs,  and  returned 
with  a  very  respectable-looking  man  of  r;_icLlJt 
age,  whom  he  introduced  as  Mr.  Colei,raw. 


Chester  Rand  26; 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

MAKING  A  WILL. 

"  MR.  COLEMAN,"  said  Trimble,  with  suav 
ity,  "  this  is  my  wife,  Mrs.  Trimble." 

The  lawyer  bowed. 

"  I  believe  you  wish  to  execute  a  will,  Mrs. 
Trimble?  "  said  he. 

"  Yes,"  answered  the  poor  mother,  in  a 
spiritless  tone. 

Various  questions  were  asked  in  relation  to 
the  property,  and  then  the  lawyer  seated  him 
self  at  a  table  and  wrote  the  formal  part  of  the 
will. 

"  I  understand  you  wish  to  leave  the  entire 
property  to  your  husband  ?  "  he  said,  in  a  tone 
of  inquiry. 

"  In  the  event  of  my  son's  death,"  interpo 
lated  Mrs.  Trimble. 

"  But,  my  dear,  he  is  dead,"  said  Abner 
Trimble,  with  a  slight  frown. 

"  I  would  prefer  to  have  it  expressed  in  this 
way." 

"  I  am  sure,"  continued  Trimble,  annoyed, 


262  Chester  Rand. 

"that  Mr.  Coleman  will  consider  it  unneces 
sary." 

"  I  see  no  objections  to  it,"  said  the  lawyer, 
"Of  course,  the  son  being  dead,  it  \\on't 
count." 

"  Mr.  Coleman,"  explained  Mrs.  Trimble, 
"  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  my  poor  son's 
death,  but  I  didn't  see  him  die,  and  there  may 
have  been  a  mistake." 

"  How  can  there  be? "  demanded  Trimble, 
impatiently.  "  Didn't  my  friend  Flo}d  see 
him  drowned?  " 

"  He  may  have  been  mistaken.  Besides,  he 
only  says  he  did  not  see  him  after  the  boat 
upset.  He  may  have  been  picked  up  by  some 
other  boat." 

For  the  first  time  Trimble  and  Floyd  saw 
the  flaw  in  the  story,  which  had  been  invented 
by  Trimble  himself. 

"Was  there  any  boat  near,  Floyd?"  asked 
Trimble,  winking  significantly. 

"  No,  sir ;  not  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile." 

"  Edward  could  swim.  He  may  have 
reached  one  by  swimming." 

This  was  newrs  to   Trimble.     He  had   not 
been  aware  that  his  stepson  could  swim. 
»     "  Under  the  circumstances,"  said  the  law 
yer,  "  I  think  Mrs.  Trimble  is  right." 


Chester  Rand.  263 

Trimble  looked  panic-stricken.  Knowing 
that  Edward  Granger  was  still  living  he  recog 
nized  the  fact  that  such  a  will  would  do  him 
no  good. 

"  If  he  were  alive  he  would  let  us  know,"  he 
said,  after  a  pause. 

"  Probably  he  would." 

"  So  that  we  may  conclude  he  is  dead." 

"  It  might  be  stipulated  that  if  the  missing 
son  does  not  appear  within  three  years  from 
the  time  the  will  is  made  he  may  be  regarded 
as  dead?"  suggested  the  lawyer. 

"  One  year  would  be  sufficient,  it  seems  to 
me,"  put  in  Trimble. 

"  I  would  rather  make  it  three,"  said  his 
wife, 

Abner  Trimble  looked  disappointed,  but  did 
*ot  dare  object. 

The  lawyer  continued  to  write. 

"  I  understand,  then,"  he  observed,  "  that 
you  bequeath  all  your  estate  to  your  husband, 
in  the  event  of  your  son  being  decided  to  be 
dead." 

Mrs.  Trimble  paused  to  consider. 

"  I  think,"  she  said,  "  I  will  leave  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  dollars  to  charitable  purposes 
as  a  memorial  of  Edward." 


264  Chester  Rand. 

"  I  don't  think  much  of  charitable  societies," 
growled  Trimble. 

"  Some  of  them  do  a  great  deal  of  good," 
said  the  lawyer.  "  Are  there  any  particular 
societies  which  you  would  wish  to  remember, 
Mrs.  Trimble?" 

"  I  leave  the  choice  to  my  executor,"  said 
the  lady. 

"  Whom  have  you  selected  for  that  office?  " 

"  Will  you  serve?  "  she  asked. 

"  Then  you  don't  care  to  appoint  Mr. 
Trimble?  " 

"  No,  I  think  not." 

"  It  is  customary  to  appoint  the  husband, 
isn't  it,  Mr.  Coleman?"  asked  Abner. 

"  It  is  quite  often  done." 

"  I  would  prefer  you,"  said  Mrs.  Trimble, 
decidedly. 

"  If  it  will  ease  your  mind,  I  will  take  the 
office,  Mrs.  Trimble." 

"  Now,"  said  the  lawyer,  after  a  brief  inter 
val  ;  "  I  will  read  the  draft  of  the  will  as  I  have 
written  it,  and  you  can  see  if  it  meets  your 
views." 

He  had  about  half  completed  reading  the 
document  when  there  was  heard  a  sharp  ring 
at  the  doorbell.  Then  there  were  steps*  on 
the  stairs. 


Chester  Rand.  265 

A  terrible  surprise  was  in  store  for  Mrs. 
Trimble. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

AN  UNEXPECTED  SURPRISE. 

THE  door  of  the  sitting  room  was  opened 
quickly,  and  two  boys  dashed  into  the  room. 
They  were  Edward  Granger  and  Chester 
Band. 

Abner  Trimble  turned  pale  and  uttered  an 
imprecation.  All  his  plans,  so  carefully  laid, 
were  menaced  with  ignominious  defeat. 

Floyd  looked  up  in  surprise,  but  did  not 
comprehend  the  situation.  In  spite  of  the 
positive  testimony  he  had  given  he  did  not 
even  know  Edward  Granger  by  sight. 

Mrs.  Trimble  uttered  a  wild  cry,  but  her 
face  lighted  up  with  supreme  joy. 

"  Edward !  "  she  exclaimed,  and  half  rising, 
opened  her  arms. 

Her  son  sprang  forward  and  embraced  his 
mother. 

"  Oh,  Edward !  "  she  murmured,  "  are  you 
really  alive?  " 

"  Very  much  alive,  mother,"  answered  Ed 
ward,  with  a  smile. 


200  Chester  Rand. 

"  And  I  was  mourning  you  as  dead !  I 
thought  I  should  never  see  you  again." 

"  I  have  not  died  that  I  am  aware  of,  mother. 
Who  told  you  I  was  dead?  " 

"  Mr.  Trimble  and — this  gentleman,"  look 
ing  at  Floyd.  "  He  told  me  he  saw  you 
drowned  in  New  York  Bay." 

Edward  regarded  Floyd  with  curiosity. 

"  I  haven't  any  recollection  of  ever  seeing 
the  gentleman,"  he  said.  "  I  don't  know  him." 

"How  do  you  explain  this,  Mr.  Floyd?" 
asked  Mrs.  Trimble,  suspiciously. 

Floyd  tried  to  speak,  but  faltered  and  stam 
mered.  He  was  in  a  very  awkward  position, 
and  he  realized  it.  Abner  Trimble  came  to  his 
assistance. 

"  You  must  have  been  mistaken,  Floyd,"  he 
said.  "  The  young  man  you  saw  drowned 
must  have  been  a  stranger." 

"  Yes,"  returned  Floyd,  grasping  the  sug 
gestion.  "  Of  course  I  must  have  been  mis 
taken.  The  young  man  I  saw  bore  a  wonder 
ful  resemblance  to  Mr.  Granger." 

"  How  long  is  it  since  you  saw  me  drowned, 
Mr.  Floyd?"  asked  Edward. 

"About  three  weeks,"  answered  Floyd,  in 
an  embarrassed  tone. 

"  In  New  York  Bay?  » 


Chester  Rand.  2t/ 

*Yes.  You  were  out  in  a  boat  with  two 
•)ther  young  fellows — that  is,  a  young  man 
who  was  the  perfect  image  of  you  was.  The 
boat  upset,  and  all  three  were  spilled  out.  I 
saved  the  life  of  one,  but  the  others  were,  as 
I  thought,  drowned.  I  am  sorry  that  I  was 
mistaken." 

"  Does  that  mean  you  are  sorry  I  was  not 
drowned?  " 

"  No ;  I  am  sorry  to  have  harrowed  up  you! 
mother's  feelings  by  a  story  which  proves  to 
be  untrue." 

"  I  suppose  Mr.  Trimble  brought  you  here," 
said  Edward,  quietly.  He  had  in  former  days 
stood  in  fear  of  his  stepfather,  but  now,  backed 
up  by  Chester,  he  felt  a  new  sense  of  courage 
and  independence. 

"  Of  course  I  brought  him  here,"  growled 
Trimble.  "  Fully  believing  in  my  friend 
Floyd's  story,  for  I  know  him  to  be  a  gentle 
man  of  truth,  I  thought  your  mother  ought  to 
know  it." 

"  I  was  about  to  make  my  will  at  Mr. 
Trimble's  suggestion,  leaving  him  all  my  prop 
erty,"  said  Mrs.  Trimble,  regarding  her  hus 
band  suspiciously. 

"  Of  course  it  was  better  to  leave  it  to  me 
than  to  second  cousins  whom  vou  don't  care 


268  Chester  Rand. 

anything  about,"  interposed  Trimble,  sourly. 
"  Come,  Floyd,  our  business  is  at  an  end.  We 
will  go  over  to  the  saloon." 

"  Shan't  I  get  anything  for  my  trouble?  " 
asked  Floyd,  uneasily,  a  remark  which  led  the 
lawyer  to  regard  him  sharply. 

"  Your  valuable  time  will  be  paid  for,"  said 
Trimble,  sarcastically. 

He  led  the  way  out,  and  Floyd  followed. 

"  Mrs.  Trimble,"  said  the  lawyer,  rising, 
"  allow  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  happy 
event  of  this  day.  I  am  particularly  glad  that 
my  services  are  not  needed." 

"  They  will  be  needed,  Mr.  Coleman.  Will 
you  do  me  the  favor  of  drawing  up  a  will 
leaving  my  entire  property,  with  the  exception 
of  a  thousand  dollars,  to  my  son,  Edward,  and 
bring  it  here  to-morrow  morning,  with  two 
trusty  witnesses,  and  I  will  sign  it." 

"  To  whom  will  you  leave  the  thousand  dol 
lars?" 

"  To  my — to  Mr.  Trimble,"  answered  Mrs. 
Trimble,  coldly.  "  I  will  not  utterly  ignore 
him." 

"  Very  well,  Mrs.  Trimble.  I  will  call  at 
half-past  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning." 

The  lawyer  bowed  himself  out,  leaving  Mrs. 
Trimble  and  the  boys  together. 


Chester  Rand.  269 

"  Mother,"  said  Edward,  "  I  have  not  yet 
had  a  chance  to  introduce  to  you  my  friend, 
Chester  Rand,  of  New  York." 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  welcome  any  friend  of 
yours,  Edward." 

"  You  have  reason  to  do  so  in  this  case, 
mother.  But  for  Chester  I  should  not  have 
had  the  money  to  come  on  from  New  York. 
He  paid  my  traveling  expenses." 

"  He  shall  be  repaid,  and  promptly,  and  he 
will  accept  my  heartiest  thanks,  also.  I  hope, 
Mr.  Rand,  you  will  make  your  home  with  us 
while  you  are  in  Portland." 

"  Thank  you,  Mrs.  Trimble,  but  I  have  al 
ready  secured  lodgings  at  a  hotel.  At  some 
future  time  I  may  accept  your  invitation." 

Chester  strongly  suspected  that  he  would 
not  be  a  welcome  guest  to  Mr.  Trimble  when 
that  gentleman  learned  that  he  had  been  in 
strumental  in  bringing  home  his  stepson  in 
time  to  defeat  his  plans.  But  he  called  every 
day  till,  his  business  being  concluded,  he 
started  on  his  return  to  New  York.  Edward 
had  expected  to  go  back  with  him,  but  to  this 
Mrs.  Trimble  would  not  listen. 

"  We  have  been  separated  long  enough,  Ed 
ward,"  she  said.  "  Henceforth  your  place  is 
at  my  side,  I  feel  that  I  have  done  you  in- 


270  Chester  Rand, 

justice,  and  I  want  to  repair  it  I  made  go 
mistake  in  marrying  Mr.  Trimble,  but  it  is  too 
late  to  correct  that.  I  will  not  permit  him, 
hereafter,  to  separate  me  from  my  son." 

"  If  you  wish  me  to  remain,  mother.'  I  will," 
^ejoined  Edward.  "  I  was  not  happy  away 
r'rom  you.  From  this  time  forth  I  will  stand 
by  you  and  protect  you  from  all  that  is  un 
pleasant." 

Edward  spoke  with  a  courage  and  manli- 
iiess  which  he  had  not  formerly  shown.  It 
was  clear  that  adversity  had  strengthened  and 
improved  him. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

CONCLUSION. 

LET  us  go  back  to  Wyncombe.  Mrs.  Greene, 
living  near  Mrs.  Rand,  was  a  lady  who  made 
it  her  business  to  know  all  about  her  neigh 
bors'  affairs.  She  stepped  into  Silas  Tripp's 
Store  to  buy  a  pound  of  butter. 

Mr.  Tripp  himself  waited  upon  her;  Mrs. 
Greene  generally  had  some  item  of  news,  and 
for  this  he  possessed  a  keen  relish. 


Chester  Rand.  271 

*•  Any  news,  Mrs.  Greene?  "  he  asked,  as  he 
nanded  her  the  package  of  butter. 

"  I  suppose  you've  heard  that  the  widder 
Band  has  lost  her  boarder?  " 

"  You  don't  say  so ! "  returned  Silas,  with 
genuine  interest. 

"  Yes,  it's  so.  I  saw  her  go  off  myself  yes* 
terday  afternoon,  bag  and  baggage." 

"  Was  she  dissatisfied,  do  you  think?  " 

"  Like  as  not.  The  widder  says  she's  comin* 
back,  but  I  don't  believe  it.  Between  you  and 
me,  Mr.  Tripp,  I  wonder  that  she  stayed  so 
long.  Now,  if  she  had  been  boardin'  with  you 
it  would  have  been  different." 

"  So  it  would,  Mrs.  Greene;  so  it  would.  I 
would  have  been  willing  to  take  her  just  to 
oblige." 

"  So  would  I,  Mr.  Tripp.  The  widder 
charged  her  a  ridiculous  price — eight  dollars 
a  week." 

"It  was  extortionate.  I  never  charged  such 
a  price." 

"  Nor  I.  Miss  Dolby's  board  ran  the  house, 
so  that  Chester  didn't  need  to  send  any  home, 
and  now  Chester's  lost  his  place." 

"  You  don't  say  so ! "  ejaculated  Silas, 
eagerly. 

"  Yes.     Mrs.  Band  told  me  herself  that  he 


272  Chester  Rand. 

had  left  his  work  and  gone  out  West  in  search 
of  a  place.  I  don't  see,  for  my  part,  what  the 
widder's  goin'  to  do." 

"  I'm  sorry  Chester's  been  so  unlucky.  But 
he  needn't  have  gone  out  West;  I'm  ready  to 
take  him  back  into  my  store." 

"  That's  very  kind  of  you,  Mr.  Tripp/ 

"  I  want  to  help  along  his  mother,  seein9 
she's  a  widder  and  in  hard  luck." 

"  Shall  I  tell  her  you  will  take  Chester 
back?" 

"  No ;  I'll  call  round  and  see  her  about  it. 
There  may  be  some  dickerin'  about  the  salary. 
Chester's  got  rather  high  notions,  but  I  can't 
afford  to  pay  extravagant  prices." 

"  Just  so.  I'm  sorry  for  the  widder  Band, 
but  she's  sot  too  much  on  that  boy,  and  thought 
there  wasn't  no  other  boy  in  Wyncombe  that 
was  equal  to  him.  I'm  sure  my  Fred  is  just 
as  smart  as  he." 

It  was  not  till  the  next  evening  that  Mr. 
Tripp  found  it  convenient  to  call  on  Mrs. 
Rand.  She  was  rather  surprised  by  the  visit, 
and  a  little  curious  to  learn  what  it  meant. 

"  Good-evenin',  widder,"  said  Silas,  cough 
ing- 

"  Good-evening,  Mr.  Tripp.    Won't  you  step 

in  for  a  few  minutes?  " 


Chester  Rand. 

"  Thank  you.  I  don't  care  if  I  do.  I  heard 
yesterday  from  Mrs.  Greene  that  you'd  lost 
your  boarder." 

"Yes;  Miss  Dolby  has  gone  to  Chicago  for 
a  year.  She  has  a  sister  there." 

"  Do  you  expect  her  back?  " 

"  Yes,  after  a  year." 

"  I  wouldn't  calc'late  too  much  upon  it  if  I 
were  you.  Women  folks  is  mighty  onsartin 
when  they  make  promises." 

Mrs.  Rand  smiled. 

"  You  may  be  right,  Mr.  Tripp,"  she  said. 

"  I  hear,  too,  that  Chester's  lost  his  place." 

"  No ;  he  has  left  it  for  a  time,  but  he  expects 
to  go  back." 

u  That's  onsartin,  too.  I'm  sorry  for  you? 
widder." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Tripp,  but  there's  no  occa 
sion." 

•  "  You'll  be  rather  put  to  it  to  get  along,  I 
reckon." 

"  Still,  I  have  good  friends  in  Wyncombe," 
said  Mrs.  Rand,  smiling  mischievously. 
"  Now,  if  I  were  really  '  put  to  it,'  I  am  sure  I 
could  rely  upon  your  assistance." 

"  I'm  very  short  of  money,"  returned  Silas, 
alarmed  at  this  suggestion.  "  Still,  I've  got 


Chester  Rand. 

the  will  to  help  you.  If  Chester's  out  of  work. 
I'm  ready  to  take  him  back  into  the  store." 

"  I  will  tell  him  that  when  I  write." 

"  Where  is  he  now?  " 

"  He's  gone  out  West." 

"  He's  made  a  mistake.  I  knew  a  boy  that 
went  out  West  some  years  since,  and  nearly 
starved.  He  came  home  ragged  and  hungry." 

"  I  am  not  afraid  Chester  will  have  that  ex 
perience.  He  had  saved  up  some  money  when 
at  work  in  New  York." 

"  It  won't  last  long,  widder.  It  don't  take 
long  for  fifty  dollars  to  melt  away.  Did  he 
have  that  much?  " 

"  I  think  he  did,  Mr.  Tripp." 

"  He'd  better  have  put  it  in  a  savings  bank 
and  come  back  to  Wyncombe  to  work  for  me. 
How  soon  do  you  expect  him  back?  " 

"  Next  week." 

"  When  he  comes,  send  him  round  to  see 
me." 

A  few  days  later,  Mrs.  Greene  went  into 
Silas  Tripp's  store  again. 

"Well,  Mr.  Tripp,"  she  said,  "Chester 
Band's  got  home." 

"  You  don't  say !  If  you  see  him,  tell  him  to 
come  round  and  see  me." 

"  And  I  can  tell  you  some  more  news.    You 


Chester  Rand.  275 

know  that  half-acre  lot  that  j'ins  onto  the  wid- 
der's  land?" 

"  The  apple  orchard?    Yes." 

"  Well,  Chester's  bought  it." 

"  You  don't  mean  it !  Where  on  earth  did 
he  get  the  money?  Do  you  know  what  he 
paid?" 

"  Two  hundred  dollars." 

"  He'll  never  be  able  to  pay  for  it." 

"  He  has  paid  cash  down.  Besides,  he's  got 
i  new  suit  of  clothes  and  a  gold  watch.  I  don't 
uelieve  he  will  be  willing  to  take  a  place  in 
your  store." 

Silas  Tripp  was  amazed.  Nay,  more,  he  was 
incredulous.  But  it  so  happened  that  Chester 
himself  came  into  the  store  in  five  minutes, 
and  confirmed  the  news. 

"Where  did  you  get  the  money,  Chester?" 
asked  Mr.  Tripp,  curiously,  eying  the  boy  with 
unwonted  respect. 

"  I  saved  it.  I  received  high  pay  in  New 
York." 

"  But  you've  lost  the  place?  " 

"  Oh,  no !    I  go  back  to  work  next  week." 

"  How  much  pay  do  you  get?  " 

"  Thirty  dollars  a  week." 

"  Don't  try  to  fool  me!"  said  Silas,  with 


276  Chester  Rand, 

asperity.  "  It  ain't  creditable  to  deceive  a 
man  old  enough  to  be  your  grandfather/' 

Chester  smiled. 

"  Do  you  want  me  to  bring  an  affidavit  from 
my  employers?  "  he  asked. 

"  But  it's  ridiculous,  payin'  a  boy  such 
wages !  "  objected  Silas. 

"  It  would  be  foolish  for  you  to  pay  it,  Mr. 
Tripp;  but  they  think  me  worth  it." 

"  What  sort  of  work  do  you  do?  " 

"  I  make  pictures.  I  will  show  you  a 
couple,"  and  Chester  produced  a  copy  of  The 
Phosnix. 

"  Why,  I  didn't  think  they  paid  more'n  a 
quarter  apiece  for  such  pictures." 

"  It's  lucky  for  me  that  they  pay  higher  than 
that." 

"  What  was  you  doin'  out  West?  " 

"  I  went  partly  to  see  the  country." 

"  I  s'pose  it  cost  you  considerable  money?  * 

"  Yes,  traveling  is  expensive." 

"  You'd  better  have  put  the  money  in  the 
bank." 

"  I  don't  think  so." 

"  Boys  have  foolish  notions.  I  s'pose  you 
was  sorry  to  hear  that  Miss  Dolby  had  gone 
away?" 


Chester  Rand.  277 

"  No,  I  want  mother  to  have  a  few  months' 
rest." 

"  Your  mother'll  miss  her  board." 
"  No,  for  I  shall  make  it  up  to  her." 
"  You  talk  as  if  you  was  rich,  Chester." 
"  I  am  not  so  rich  as  you,  Mr.  Tripp." 
"You   seem   to   be  spending  more  money; 
some  day  you'll  be  put  to  it  to  get  along." 

But  that  has  not  yet  come.  Two  years  have 
passed,  and  Chester  is  still  in  the  employ  of 
The  Phoenix,  but  he  now  receives  forty  dollars 
per  week.  He  has  sold  his  other  two  lots  in 
Tacoma  for  five  thousand  dollars  each,  and 
still  has  the  cheaper  lots  he  bought  as  an  in 
vestment.  He  could  sell  these  at  a  handsome 
profit,  but  will  hold  them  a  while  longer. 

About  a  year  ago  he  received  intelligence 
from  Edward  Granger  that  his  stepfather  had 
died  suddenly  of  heart  trouble,  brought  on  by 
an  undue  use  of  alcoholic  mixtures.  Edward 
concluded :  "  Now  there  is  nothing  to  mar  my 
mother's  happiness.  I  live  at  home  and  man 
age  her  business,  besides  filling  a  responsible 
place  in  a  broker's  office.  We  hope  you  will 
pay  us  a  visit  before  long.  We  have  never  for 
gotten  your  kindness  to  me  in  my  time  of 
need." 
A  month  since  Mr.  Fairchild  was  surprised 


278  Chester  Rand, 

by  receiving  a  remittance  from  Tacoma.  His 
old  bookkeeper,  David  Mullins,  remitted  to 
him  the  amount  he  had  stolen  at  the  time  of  his 
hurried  departure  from  New  York,  with  inter 
est  up  to  date. 

"  I  hope,  Mr.  Fairchild,"  he  concluded,  "  you 
will  now  forgive  me  for  my  treachery.  I  feel 
great  satisfaction  in  paying  my  debt.  I  have 
been  assisted  by  a  fortunate  investment  in  out 
side  lots.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  Felix  is  doing 
well.  You  were  kind  to  retain  him." 

Felix  is  really  doing  well,  and  bids  fair  to 
make  a  good  business  man.  He  was  weak  and 
influenced  to  evil  by  his  cousin ;  but  with  good 
surroundings  he  is  likely  to  turn  out  credit 
ably. 

Chester  retains  the  friendship  and  good 
opinion  of  his  first  friend,  Carl  Conrad,  and  is 
a  favorite  visitor  at  the  house  of  Prof.  Hazlitt, 
whose  great  work  has  just  appeared  from 
the  press  of  a  subscription  publisher.  His 
nephew,  Arthur  Burks,  is  now  in  college,  and 
he  and  Chester  remain  intimate  friends. 

Silas  Tripp  has  ceased  to  expect  to  secure 
the  services  of  Chester  in  his  store.  He  had 
never  been  able  to  understand  the  secret  of 
Chester's  success,  but  has  been  heard  to  re- 


Chester  Rand.  279 

mark :  "  It  does  beat  all  how  that  boy  gets 
along !  " 

Fortunately,  prosperity  has  not  spoiled 
Chester.  He  is  still  the  same  modest  and 
warm-hearted  boy,  or  perhaps  I  should  say 
young  man,  and  his  friends  all  agree  that  J^ 
deserves  his  success. 


THE  END. 


HOME  USE 
CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 


TAU6    8 1981 


_  . 

MftY  24  fflff 


GENERAL  LIBRARY -U.C,  BERKELEY 


